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.
Stop buying simple syrup at the store—this basic simple syrup recipe is easy to make at home!
I often have a jar of homemade simple syrup in the fridge. I keep it on hand for making cocktails, and I like to add a splash to iced coffee or tea to make it lightly sweet. If you’re a fan of any of these drinks, I definitely recommend trying this recipe. As the name suggests, it’s super simple to make!
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. It allows you to sweeten cold drinks consistently—unlike granulated sugar, it won’t settle into a gritty mound at the bottom of your glass. It’s easy to make in less than 5 minutes—keep reading to learn how!
How to Make Simple Syrup
Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before sealing in an airtight container and storing in the fridge.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Variations
You can use ingredients like herbs and spices to make a flavored simple syrup. Once you remove the pan from the heat, just add your desired seasonings and let them steep for 15 minutes. Strain the syrup to remove the add-ins and then store in the fridge. So easy!
Here are a few of my favorite additions:
- Fresh herbs – Add a handful of fresh mint or basil, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, or a sprig of fresh rosemary.
- Chiles – Spice things up by adding a few serrano or jalapeño slices. I love this in a margarita!
- Citrus zest – Toss in a few strips of lemon or orange peel.
- Tea – Steep 2-4 bags of your favorite herbal tea in the syrup.
- Fresh lavender flowers
- Thinly sliced fresh ginger
- Cinnamon sticks
Let me know what variations you try!
Cocktails with Simple Syrup
Once you have this sweetener on hand, you can use it in tons of classic cocktails. Try it in any of these recipes:
More Ways to Use Simple Syrup
You can use it on non-alcoholic drinks too! I call for it in my homemade lemonade recipe, and it’s also my favorite way to sweeten iced coffee and iced tea.
- Tip: Infused syrups are fantastic in these drinks! Try using a basil one in lemonade or a cinnamon one in coffee or tea.
How to Store
Store homemade simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
- Allow to cool to room temperature before sealing in an airtight container and storing in the fridge.
- The simple syrup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a month.
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!
Thank you for sharing these! I am saving these recipes