Looking for a fresh way to mix up your morning latte, elevate your iced tea or put an unexpected twist on a cocktail or mocktail? Try making your own simple syrup.
Made in minutes using pantry staples, homemade simple syrup is one of the easiest ways to add flavor to your favorite treats. Read on to learn how to make it — and for delicious recipes to get you started.
What is Simple Syrup?
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. Simple syrup is made by cooking sugar and water together until it thickens and forms a syrup. It’s typically made using granulated (white) sugar, but you can make it with brown sugar for a deeper, caramelized flavor.
Simple sugar is often used to sweeten cocktails, but it can also be stirred into lemonades, mocktails, coffees and even drizzled over baked goods. And, of course, it makes an amazing edible gift.
How to Make Simple Syrup
A basic simple syrup recipe uses equal parts sugar and water, plus whatever seasonings or flavorings you plan to add. To make it, simmer the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then allow it to cool at room temperature.
Amp up the flavor with these simple syrup recipes
Of course, you’re not limited to plain simple sugar — and whether you’re feeling adventurous or craving something cozy, there's an endless variety of simple syrups to explore.
Chai Simple Syrup
If you’re a fan of dirty chai lattes — a chai latte with a shot of espresso added — this is the syrup for you. It’s warming and satisfying like your favorite chai tea, using McCormick Gourmet All Natural Whole Cardamom Pods and All Natural Whole Cloves for flavor. Use it to spice up black tea or to sweeten a latte.
Lemongrass Simple Syrup
Zippy and refreshing, this lemongrass simple syrup tastes adventurous — but it’s deceptively easy to make. Simply simmer lemongrass tea in sugar and water to make this syrup in less than five minutes. Try adding a spoonful to fresh-squeezed limeade or use it to sweeten iced green tea.
Lemon Bay Leaf Simple Syrup
This citrusy-and-savory syrup adds a decidedly sophisticated twist to cocktails and drinks. It’s made with lemon peel for fresh, bright flavor, while Turkish bay leaves add subtle herbaceous notes. This recipe tastes amazing in iced tea — black, green or white — and it can also work as a glaze for lemon muffins and cakes.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
Rosemary isn’t exactly a staple in sweet treats, but this syrup might change your mind. Organic rosemary adds subtle earthy notes to the syrup, playing perfectly off the sweetness of the sugar. It’s delicious in iced tea, muddled with raspberries and added to sparkling water, or to add a savory twist to lemonade.
Cinnamon Spice Simple Syrup
Want to make your coffee taste like a cinnamon bun? This is the syrup for you. A couple of McCormick Gourmet Organic Saigon Cinnamon Sticks give this syrup the warm, cozy flavor you’ll love to add to your latte. It’s also delicious in rooibos tea — iced or hot — or added to cola.
Orange Clove Simple Syrup
Say hello to the holidays in a bottle! This citrus-and-spice syrup tastes amazing in mochas, lattes and hot teas. All you need is sugar, water, orange peel and McCormick Gourmet All Natural Whole Cloves for festive flavor all season long. Make it as a stocking stuffer or keep the whole batch to yourself — it's that good!
Create your own flavor combinations
Once you’ve gotten the hang of making simple syrup, let your creativity run wild. Try adding a few drops of flavorings and extracts to your syrup after it cools for instant flavor. We recommend McCormick® Pure Peppermint Extract for “candy cane” simple syrup. Or simmer simple syrup with fresh or dried seasonings, such as fresh sliced ginger for a zippy, fiery syrup.
Sweet, spicy or savory — the only limit is your imagination.
Enjoying These Homemade Simple Syrups?
Here are some of our favorite coffee recipes to pair with your new simple syrup!
