Simple Syrup Recipe (2024)

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Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Leah Hall

Simple Syrup is the perfect recipe to make homemade. This simple syrup recipe is great for co*cktails, coffee and other beverages is easy to make and can even be easily flavored.

This staple co*cktail sweetener is simply of equal parts granulated sugar and water. From there, the variations are endless, as well as the flavors.

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Simple Syrup Recipe (1)

Ratio for Simple Syrup

It’s a simple 1:1 ratio for making syrup. Easy to adapt large amounts or small amounts. You can even do the small amount of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1/4 cup water, or even all the way up to gallons if you so desire.

Rich Simple Syrup

If you like your syrup sweeter, you can try rich simple syrup, which uses the ratio of two parts sugar to one part water and adds more heft to your co*cktails. We have used this in a number of co*cktails to make a drink a little sweeter, but not adding a lot of amount to it. We even made a rich raspberry syrup!

How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?

Once sealed and refrigerated, this syrup can last well for about 3 weeks. Perfect for making 3 weekends worth of shaking, blending and drinking your very own homemade co*cktails! We prefer to store our simple syrup in the fridge of course, in a jar with a sealed lid. Also great in swing top bottles that seal, or a sealed plastic container.

Simple Syrup Recipe (2)

Can You Freeze Simple Syrup?

Yes! It will freeze solid if you use the 1:1 ratio, so if you do freeze it and want to use it, make sure to do so with plenty of time for it to thaw.

Making the Simple Syrup

We used to buy simple syrup at the store, we had no idea people made their own for their homemade co*cktails. We would buy a bottle every few weeks. I cringe at what I spend money on was sugar water.

Simple syrup in co*cktails is perfect because it mixes well with other liquids, and is easy to make in advance, and as it keeps well for a while, you can just have it on hand all the time.

So, make sure to have a jar on hand and make a simple syrup recipe for co*cktails that is easily stored and easy to make in a few minutes.

It’s simple – using just a small saucepan, and your one to one ratio, (we usually do 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water), combine the sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and bring to a boil. Pull off the heat and let cool, then store in the fridge.

Adapting the Simple Syrup

You can also infuse your simple syrup recipe for co*cktails with countless ingredients—including spices and herbs, even fresh fruit—based on the flavor you want to make. Steep some rosemary or cinnamon sticks in your syrup. Want a co*cktail with vanilla? Vanilla simple syrup is the answer. Really into blackberry? You see where we are going with this!

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. Remove from the heat, add your desired flavorings and let it steep for at least 15 minutes. Then strain it, discard your flavorings, and let cool.

You can also use different sweeteners for the base of your simple syrup. We have used honey, stevia, brown sugar, molasses and more! The possibilities are endless!

Simple Syrup Recipe (3)

Can You Make Flavored Simple Syrup?

Yes! You should see our fridge at any given time! If you have a variety of flavors on hand it’s great to add to margaritas, Old Fashioneds and palomas! You can use ingredients like herbs and spices to add flavor to simple syrup!

Simple Syrup Recipe (4)

Other Ways to Use Simple Syrup

Simple syrup isn’t limited to co*cktails either, it’s great for flavoring coffee, lemonade or iced tea. Also great for making a boozy granita.

Also, don’t forget to follow us onInstagram and tag #gastronomco*cktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

You can also subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Simple Syrup Recipe (5)Strawberry Basil Gimlet

Simple Syrup Recipe (6)Lemon Simple Syrup

Other Simple Syrups
Simple Syrup Recipe (7)

Yield: 1 cup

How to Make Simple Syrup for co*cktails

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This easy homemade simple syrup recipe for co*cktails is also great for coffee and other beverages at home! So easy to make instead of buy!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • dash of salt

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in small saucepan over medium high heat.
  2. Stir to dissolve sugar.
  3. Bring to a boil, turn off heat and take off burner.
  4. Let cool, and store in airtight container or jar for up to two weeks.
  5. Cheers!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 oz

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 94Sodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 25gSugar: 25g

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Simple Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the simple syrup formula? ›

It's also one of the easiest ingredients to make yourself—if you can boil water, you can make simple syrup. At its most basic, simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of granulated sugar dissolved in an equal volume of water.

How to tell if simple syrup is done? ›

By the time the edges start to simmer, the liquid should be completely clear, not cloudy. Immediately remove from the heat source. Add flavor. If you are making infused simple syrups, this is the time to add the extra ingredients.

Should simple syrup be 1:1 or 2:1? ›

2:1 simple syrup is much less prone to spoilage than 1:1 is, as the 1:1 ratio is much more hospitable to mold and bacteria.

How to make sugar syrup formula? ›

Dissolve 300g caster sugar in 150ml water over a low heat. Leave to cool and bottle for future use in co*cktails. Store in the fridge.

What is simple syrup made of? ›

What Is Simple Syrup? Simple syrup is made by cooking equal parts sugar and water until the mixture is slightly thickened. It can be used as a sweetener in cooking and baking, but it's most commonly used as an ingredient in co*cktails.

What happens if you boil simple syrup too long? ›

Don't bring the water to a boil.

The water should be hot enough to dissolve the sugar completely, but you don't want to boil simple syrup for too long (or you'll end up with caramel).

Can you overcook simple syrup? ›

In a small pan, combine one part sugar and one part water. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains. Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel.

Do I need to refrigerate simple syrup? ›

Refrigerating simple syrup extends its shelf life and slows the future growth of bacteria. You can keep it at room temperature, but it will go bad much faster. If you plan use up it up within a few days, it can be stored at room temperature. Otherwise I highly recommend storing it in the fridge or freezer.

What are the disadvantages of simple syrup? ›

Another disadvantage is that syrups often contain high amounts of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health issues . Additionally, syrups may have a high viscosity, making them difficult to pour or administer accurately . This can be problematic when precise dosing is required.

Do you need to boil simple syrup? ›

To make no-cook simple syrup:

Stir equal parts of water and sugar together thoroughly. Wait 10 to 15 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid looks clear. (To make extra heavy syrup, increase the amount of sugar). That's all!

Why is my simple syrup not thickening? ›

Pour the syrup into a saucepan, then turn the burner on low. Bring the sauce to a low simmer and let it sit for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't burn. Leave the lid off so that some of the liquid can evaporate, which is what will cause the syrup to thicken.

What happens if you stir sugar syrup? ›

Avoid stirring the sugar when it comes to a simmer. Sugar is temperamental and can treat a spoon or spatula (or any foreign object, like a thermometer) as particulate, something to latch onto to crystallize.

Why do you not stir sugar syrup? ›

Combine your sugar and water off the heat, and stir it just until the sugar is evenly moistened. Avoid stirring the sugar if at all possible once you put it on the stove. Agitation can cause the sugar to crystallize.

What's the best substitute for simple syrup? ›

If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.

How do you make simple syrup for compounding? ›

For simple syrup, use a ratio of 1:1 water to sugar.

This makes a syrup similar to what you can buy at the store. Increase the sugar for a richer syrup. Add water and sugar to a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan around as the mixture heats up to help dissolve the sugar into the water.

What is simple syrup vs sugar syrup? ›

Simple Syrup, also known as “sugar syrup” (and sometimes “sugary syrup”) is a syrup made from dissolving white granulated sugar into an equal amount of water. Yep, that's all! (I told you it was “simple”!) Simple Syrup is (by far) the most common sweetener used by bartenders for co*cktails.

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