Make this easy simple syrup recipe to sweeten your favorite cocktails! Enjoy it plain, or add herbs, lavender, ginger, and more to infuse it with flavor.
If you like to make cocktails at home, knowing how to make simple syrup is essential. By definition, simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water. It allows you to sweeten cold drinks consistently – unlike granulated sugar on its own, it won’t settle into a gritty mound at the bottom of your glass. And good news! As the name suggests, this simple syrup recipe is, well, simple. It only requires two ingredients, and it comes together in 5 minutes flat. Stored in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge, it will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Simple Syrup Recipe Variations
Basic simple syrup is really versatile, and you can use it in almost any drink. Keep it on hand to add to classic margaritas, palomas, iced tea, iced coffee, and more! You can also use ingredients like herbs and spices to add flavor to simple syrup. Here are a few of my favorite additions:
- A handful of fresh mint or basil – See my mint julep or pomegranate spritzer recipe!
- Jalapeño slices – Use it to spice up a jalapeño margarita!
- Fresh lavender flowers – Try this variation in my lavender French 75!
- 2-4 bags of your favorite herbal tea – See an example in my Apple Zinger Tea Tail recipe!
- A few sprigs of lemon thyme
- Thinly sliced fresh ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- A sprig of rosemary
- Strips of lemon or orange peel
To make a flavored simple syrup, add the sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add your desired seasonings to the syrup, remove from the heat, and let it steep for 15 minutes. Then, strain it, discard any add-ins, and chill the syrup until you’re ready to use it.
Let me know what variations you try!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup basil or mint, optional
Instructions
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
- If desired, add herbs, to infuse, turn the heat off and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and chill.
- The simple syrup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.
I love this recipe for making fresh lemonade. So yummy! I wish I had a lemon tree in my yard, I would making alot lemon everything.
Hi Chrissy, sounds delicious! So glad you’ve enjoyed the simple syrup recipe.
I have a lemon tree and making the simple syrup is easy and makes all the difference. Everyone asks for the recipe
SO DELICIOUS – and for those not wanting to use artificial lime juice, this is about 3 limes juiced.
I love flavored simple syrup. My favorite is with handfuls of rosemary steeped with the syrup, and used with gin, lemon, lime and club soda in a Rosemary Gin Fizz. Also, syrup with blackberries and ginger mixed with anything, or even a bit added to fizzy water brings those memories of blackberry picking as a child to mind. And ginger simple syrup with crushed strawberries makes a great margarita!
ooh, I love your ideas, thank you for sharing!