Simple Syrup is incredibly easy to make, and it is something I always love having on hand for cocktails. Made with just sugar and water, this homemade simple syrup takes only a few minutes to prepare and is so much cheaper than buying it at the store.
This 1:1 simple syrup recipe is perfect for sweetening cocktails, lemonade, iced coffee, and so much more. Plus, it is incredibly easy to customize with different flavors.
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water. It is commonly used in cocktails, iced coffee, lemonade, and other cold drinks because it mixes in easily without leaving undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass. Traditional simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, making it incredibly easy to prepare at home.
How to Make Simple Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Do this over medium heat.
- Whisk the mixture regularly. As the mixture heats up, the sugar will dissolve into the water. The syrup has finished cooking when the sugar has completely dissolved, and the liquid is clear. It doesn’t need to continue boiling to thicken; the finished syrup will be clear and just slightly thicker than water. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before you use it in cocktails.
Simple Syrup Ratio: 1:1 vs 2:1
Traditional simple syrup uses a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. This means that for every cup of granulated sugar, you use one cup of water. This is the ratio I use for my cocktails because it adds sweetness without making the syrup too concentrated.
You can also make rich simple syrup, which uses a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. This means using two cups of sugar for every one cup of water. The result is a sweeter, more concentrated syrup, so you generally need less of it in your drinks.
For most homemade cocktails and other drinks, I recommend starting with the traditional 1:1 ratio in the recipe card below.
How to Flavor Simple Syrup
Homemade simple syrup is a terrific place to add extra flavor to your cocktails. By adding ingredients after the sugar has completely dissolved, you can easily make fun twists on your cocktails.
- Follow the recipe as written.
- At the end of step 2 (in the recipe card below), add whatever you would like to make it flavored. Fresh herbs are a favorite, but I have lots of great ideas below.
- Let the added ingredient steep for at least 30 minutes. Then remove it before storing it (optional).
Flavored Simple Syrup
Here are some of my favorite flavors of simple syrup. You will love these great variations and the ideas on how to use them.
- Honey Simple Syrup: Replace the sugar with honey to make this great syrup. It adds a great honey flavor to your cocktails and is perfect in the Bee’s Knees.
- Mint Simple Syrup: Add some fresh mint at the end of step 2. Give your Mojito an extra minty boost!
- Rosemary Simple Syrup: Add some fresh rosemary at the end of step 2. I love adding some of this to my Gin and Tonic.
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup: Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar. This would be amazing in a fall themed sangria like my Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria.
- Ginger Simple Syrup: At the end of step 2, grate some fresh ginger into the simple syrup. After steeping, strain the syrup through a mesh strainer and add it to my Moscow Mule.
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup: Toss in a few cinnamon sticks at the end of step 2. Use it in my Old Fashioned instead of a sugar cube.
- Lemon Simple Syrup: Add in some lemon peels at the end of step 2. Use it in my French 75 for an extra lemon boost.
- Basil Simple Syrup: Add some fresh basil at the end of step 2. Use it in my Vodka Lemonade – a favorite of mine!
- Chai Simple Syrup: Add some chai tea bags at the end of step 2. Use it to make this amazing Chai Old Fashioned.
Non Alcoholic Uses
Though we use this recipe all the time in our cocktails, this is also the start of so many great non-alcoholic recipes.
- I love using this to sweeten iced coffee! Because sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquids, it is the perfect solution.
- It is the beginning of Strawberry Milk, as you combine it with strawberries to make Strawberry Syrup.
- We use this to begin our Lemonade. It is perfection every time.
- It is also what gives our Cherry Limeade its sweetness.
Sugar Free Simple Syrup
You can use sugar substitutes to make simple syrup easily. The main thing to keep in mind is what the brand recommends as the replacement ratio. Usually on the bag it will tell you how much of the substitute you need to replace 1 cup of sugar. Use that amount.
I have found that Stevia works better as a substitute than Monk Fruit. The Monk Fruit, while totally delicious, starts to crystallize in the syrup after about a day.
Storing
This recipe should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one month. It freezes well. Freeze it in an airtight container with room for expansion. Store in the freezer for up to three months. Alternatively, most ice cube tray holes are about 1 ounce. This can be frozen as cubes so that you can thaw just one ounce at a time.
FAQ
Yes. Simple syrup, even when refrigerated, does go bad. If your simple syrup looks foggy or smells off, discard it.
A recipe that is a 1:1 ratio (as is described here) has a one month shelf life if stored in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator.
Syrup that is a 2:1 ratio has a six week shelf life if stored in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator.
Cocktails to Use This Recipe
- Whiskey Sour: You can’t beat this classic cocktail.
- Three Ingredient Wine Slushies: These can be made in so many different flavors.
- White Wine Sangria: This classic is bound to become a favorite for ladies’ night.
If you give this a try, let me know how it goes and even more importantly, what recipe you used it in!
Recipe Video
Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the water and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk the mixture regularly. As it heats up, the sugar will start to dissolve into the water. Once it is completely dissolved, remove it from the heat. (If you are adding anything to the syrup for flavor, this is when you would do it. Read more about that here.)
- Allow the syrup to cool completely before using.
- Use once cooled or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Notes
Jessica Griffin says
I’m new to this concept, but trying to figure out how to make homemade LAVENDAR italian cream sodas for my 17 yr old. I won’t pay the coffee shop $5/day to make them plus the syrup they use cannot be healthy. Trying to be more mindful of her diet because she is a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. Any idea on how to make lavender simple syrup? Essential oils are probably not the answer??? Thank you for your help :)
Oye. That’s a hard question. I don’t think that my simple syrup is the answer for a kiddo with type one 1 diabetes because it is really just sugar water. You can try making it with Truvia (a sugar substitute). I would try doing that first before adding in any flavor – just to make sure that works first. Then look at this post from The Adventure bite (https://theadventurebite.com/blackberry-lavender-champagne-cocktail/). She uses dried lavender flowers and boils them. I would suspect you could do that with simple syrup and then strain it. Let me know what you do! I’d love to hear about it.
Lisa Waddell says
Club soda, lavendar sugar free syrup, splash of heavy cream and sugar free whipped topping…. and sprinkles.
Greg says
Great recipe for simple syrup. My grandmother owned a Tastee Freeze franchise back in the 50’s and this is the recipe base she used for many flavorful milkshakes
Jean Earl says
Love this in my sweet tea and lemonade
Jan strawn says
Where the devil is the peach recipe!!! ????
Here: Peach Sangria.
Charlene says
How do you make a peach syrup?
You can read detailed instructions within the body of my Bellini post.
Janice navarra says
Any ideas on sugar free simple syrup for best taste
I have made it with monk fruit before. It does work, but it is best when used in the first 24 hours. After that it can start to crystalize.