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How to Make Simple Syrup

EASY, Ready in 5 MINUTES or less and the BEST way to sweeten any drink. You’ll be glad to know how to make simple syrup!

This Simple syrup recipe really IS simple with just TWO INGREDIENTS! Your drinks will never be more easy to shake, stir and have on the table in minutes flat!

Ball Jar of tea, pitcher of tea and silver creamer sitting on white and green napkins

This tea is made with a simple syrup recipe

Why This Recipe For How To Make Simple Syrup Works…

  • It’s EASY!
  • Uses just TWO ingredients for this simple syrup recipe!
  • Can be INFUSED with flavors to make simple syrup! 

This is How To Make Simple Syrup..

STEP 1. 

Heat an equal amount of water and granulated sugar on the stove top. 

Water being poured into sauce pan on a cook top blue towel in back ground for how do you make simple syrup

Add water and sugar to your pan

STEP 2. 

Allow to cool and refrigerate for up to 30 days

Mason Jar with silver lid sitting on wooden board and white and black napkin

Mason Jar of Simple Syrup Recipe

STEP 3

Add simple syrup to any drink or cocktail you like! 

syrup being poured from creamer pitcher into mason jar of tea

Tea being sweetened with home make simple syrup

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What IS Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a sugary liquid that you can add to cocktails and drinks to sweeten them! 

If you can BOIL WATER, you can make a simple syrup! Seriously!

 

Where Can I BUY Simple Syrup?

  • It’s available in the grocery store in the drink section.
  • You’ll often also find it in a liquor store.

It looks like the photo below…

Bottle of syrup sitting on shelf at the store with price tag below for $3.08

Store bought Simple Syrup

How Much Does Simple Syrup Cost? 

In my grocery store in North Carolina, USA, it costs about $3.00 US Currency.

How Much Does it Cost to Make Simple Syrup?

Literally, pennies. 

What Is In Simple Syrup? 

A basic mix includes water and sugar ONLY. That “what is simple syrup!”. 

Is Simple Syrup the Same Thing as Corn Syrup?

No! It is not!  

Corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn, simple syrup uses granulated sugar. 

What Kind of Sugar Do I Use to Make Simple Syrup?

You will be using regular white granulated sugar like you find in the baking aisle at the grocery store. 

Can I Make Simple Syrup in the Microwave? 

Yes! Absolutely!  

  1. Use the ingredients listed below.
  2. Place them in a microwave safe container and
  3. heat for 1 minute,
  4. stir,
  5. repeat at 30 second intervals until the sugar dissolves.
  6. Allow to cool before using. 

PRO TIP: Be careful and do not allow to heat for longer than 30 second intervals without stirring due to the possibility of super heating.

What Do I Use Simple Syrup For? 

We Like to Add it to…

Sweet Tea

Lemonade 

the Pinky Out

Russian Tea

Fizzy Pink

and especially My Vanilla Iced Coffee!

Can I Add Flavors to My Simple Syrup?

Absolutely! 

Try some of these..

  • Cinnamon
  • Jalapeno
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Mint

How Do I Infuse more Flavors?

  1. Put 1 Tbs of any of these into a tea bag (or in a coffee filter, close it well with a bread tie) and then
  2. allow it to bob around in the warm water. 
  3. Discard when you are done. 

How Long is it Good for? 

If you keep yours covered and in the refrigerator, it will be good for about 30 days

Can I Freeze This?

Yes, you absolutely CAN!

  • Freeze in an ice cube tray and then you can pull out single ice cubes .
  • OR Freeze in a zip lock bag (freezer safe) and freeze for up to a year. 

TIPS & TRICKS for How To Make Simple Syrup

  1. Use a good quality water. If you live where the water is highly chlorinated, allow the water to sit overnight before making simple syrup. 
  2. When adding the sugar to the water, stir constantly and the sugar will dissolve more quickly. 
  3. We save ours in a Mason Jar in the refrigerator, make sure to label it with the date that it was made. It’s easy to forget later. 
  4. Try my terrific vanilla syrup for coffee!

PRO TIP:  You can use this for many projects, it also makes a fine humming bird food (as long as it isn’t infused with herbs).

Ya’ll Be Sweet and Help Me Out, OK? 

It sure is a big help to me when you leave me a 5 STAR COMMENT 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟below in the comment section. I appreciate it so much! 

Please also sign up for my weekly newsletter and join me on social media!

A photo of The Secret to Perfect Southern Sweet Tea from the side

How to Make Simple Syrup

Ready in 5 Minutes!  Perfect and Easy!  Saves you a TON of money!  You'll be mixing up a drink in no time at all! 
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: syrup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to make simple syrup, simple syrup
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 96kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Water
  • 4 Cups Sugar White Granulated

Instructions

  • Bring  water to a boil over medium heat on the stovetop in a sauce pan. 
  • Add the sugar all at once and stir until the sugar has nearly disappeared.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Allow to cool and use your simple syrup in whatever manner you desire.

Notes

  1. Use a good quality water.  If you live where the water is highly chlorinated, allow the water to sit overnight before making simple syrup. 
  2. When adding the sugar to the water, stir constantly and the sugar will dissolve more quickly. 
  3. We save ours in a Mason Jar in the refrigerator, make sure to label it with the date that it was made.  It's easy to forget later. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Make Simple Syrup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 96
% Daily Value*
Sodium 1mg0%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Calcium 1mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

***This recipe first appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on June 10, 2016 and has been updated with 
“why this recipe works” FAQ’s, process photos, step by step instructions, tips and tricks, nutrition information and a video***

A VERSE TO SHARE…

This verse has been making me consider some things in my own life, so I thought I should share with you too! 

Ephesians 2: 19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Don

Saturday 20th of June 2020

The tips provided are great! Thank you!

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 20th of June 2020

Hi Don! Thanks for leaving a comment and I am glad you found what you needed!

Natalie

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

Thank you for answering all the questions I had about simple syrup. Just when I thought cold sweet tea couldn't get any better. My favorite tea to use is Bigelow Earl Grey Black Tea with Oil of Bergamot. The real oil of bergamot is key to the magic!!

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

Hi Natalie! I'm glad you found what you needed! I'll have to try your type of tea! :)

Krista Lynn Braun

Friday 3rd of August 2018

And I forgot to add, that when I took note of the price of simple syrup at a local grocery chain here which is very reasonable and I believe all across the nation, it was almost 6 dollars a bottle. I can’t imagine spending that much.

Wendi Spraker

Friday 3rd of August 2018

Yeah, me EITHER! In fact, I went to the grocery today and bought nearly nothing and it was $80!!!! We can't afford to waste money like that. At least I know I can't and I doubt anyone else can either!

Krista Lynn Braun

Friday 3rd of August 2018

Thank you for this simple recipe. I’ve always used it as a bartender in both cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks as well. However, it was always made by somebody in the kitchen or at my last gig by the owners long term significant other. I never really thought to make it at home until I started making my own homemade southern style ice tea for my fiancé. By the way, I love your recipe for that as well. I did find the traditional one to one ratio to not be as thick or sweet for our liking. So the following day I read boiled it and add it a little bit more to make it about 1 1/2 cups of sugar. My fiancé Likes his TEa diabetic-ly sweet so it comes in handy so he can make his sweeter and I can still tolerate it the way I make it following your recipe. Thanks again.

On another note, I love the photographs that you shared. I too love to take photographs of the places that I’ve lived. You are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

Wendi Spraker

Friday 3rd of August 2018

Krista- you have absolutely made my day! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you find many more recipes here that you enjoy!

Moxie

Friday 2nd of February 2018

PErfect!

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