Simple Homemade Rose Syrup Recipe

Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless flavor infusions, from herbal to floral, and my rose syrup recipe remains one of my all-time favorites. Its delicate aroma, gorgeous blush tone, and versatility make it a standout ingredient for lattes, cocktails, desserts, and more. Whether you’re crafting the perfect cup of tea, hosting friends, or just want to romanticize your morning routine, this homemade rose syrup is a beautiful way to add a subtle floral flavor to your creations without fake food dyes and coloring.

The recipe below is made with real ingredients and backed by the hands-on testing and hosting experience I bring to every Elicit Folio recipe.

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Homemade Rose Simple Syrup Video Tutorial

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What is Rose Syrup?

Rose syrup is a sweet, floral-infused syrup made from rose petals (fresh, dried, or distilled as rose water), sugar, and water. It has a delicate subtle floral flavor and a naturally pink color. Some recipes include food coloring or hibiscus for added vibrancy, however as with past floral syrups, I try to use natural ingredients in my recipes and avoid harmful food dyes. 

Rose syrup can be used culinary food dishes or a variety of beverage creations. Learning to use rose syrup will add a romantic, fragrant touch to lattes, cocktails, ice cream, iced tea, desserts and more. You can think of rose sytrup as another type of simple syrup, meaning it’s made with equal parts water and sugar, simmered on medium heat in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Rose syrup is often found in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and French cuisines.

Are Rose Water and Rose Syrup the Same Thing?

Although rose water and rose simple syrup use similar ingredients, they both have very different uses. Rose water is a clear, unsweetened liquid made by distilling rose petals in distilled water, used primarily for its light floral aroma in both cooking and skincare. Rose syrup, on the other hand, is a sweet, concentrated simple syrup made by simmering rose petals with sugar. It’s perfect for adding rose flavor and sweetness to drinks and desserts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this beautiful floral mixture, you will need a medium-sized saucepan (or small saucepan if making a test batch) and the following:

• 1 cup water (filtered or cold water works best)
• 1 cup white sugar or brown sugar for a deeper flavor
• 1/2 cup culinary-grade dried rose petals or edible rose petals (Order here from Amazon)

Dried vs Fresh Rose Petals – Which is Better?

When it comes to making rose syrup, you can use fresh or dried rose petals, but I personally prefer using dried culinary-grade rose petals for their consistency and stronger flavor. Unlike fresh petals, which can vary in strength and aroma depending on the season, I find that dried petals have a stronger concentrated rose flavor that infuses more deeply into the rose simple syrup. They’re also shelf-stable, easy to measure, and available year-round, making them a reliable ingredient for repeat batches. 

How to Make Rose Simple Syrup

1. Over medium heat, take a saucepan and add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves 
2. Turn off heat, and stir dried edible rose petals. Allow petals to steep for 20 – 30 minutes. 
3. Strain and pour into a glass bottle or airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also use the back of a spoon to press out any extra liquid from the rose petals. 

How to Use Rose Syrup

Homemade rose syrup is one of the most elegant and rewarding additions to your culinary toolkit. below are some creative ways you can use this beautiful simple sugar syrup:

• Coffee / Lattes: Iced Rose Oatmilk Latte
• Mocktails / Cocktails: This simple syrup pairs beautifully with gin, vodka and a splash to soda water.
• Desserts: You can use this simple syrup to make rose macarons, a rose syrup milkshake, or rose flavored ice cream
• Teas: Rose syrup goes beautifully in iced tea, mint tea, hibiscus tea and more!

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Pro Tips for Making the Best Rose Syrup

• Use food-grade petals: Only use culinary-grade rose petals or edible flowers for safe consumption. Be sure to avoid flowers with pesticides. 
• Do Not Boil: Only allow this mixture to come to a simmer as outlined in the recipe card. Boiling will cause the water to evaporate too quickly, which will affect the floral notes in this recipe.
• Color Syrup Naturally: To achieve a deep pink hue for this rose syrup recipe without the use of artificial food coloring, simply add 1/2 cup of dried rose petals (not fresh roses) to the simple syrup mixture. Allow them to steep for 30 minutes until the desired final color and flavor is achieved.
• Allow Syrup To Cool: Before use or storing in the refrigerator, allow the mixture to cool down to at least room temperature.
• For gifts: If you’re looking for a creative gift to share, you can package this in a beautiful glass bottle with a label and share the love!

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How to Store Rose Syrup:

Rose syrup should be stored properly to preserve its floral fragrance, flavor, and freshness. Here’s how:

• Use an airtight container: A clean glass bottle or airtight jar is ideal to prevent exposure to air, which can degrade the syrup.
• Refrigerate after cooling: After cooling, store the syrup in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and safe from spoilage.
• Shelf life: When stored properly, rose syrup typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge. If you notice cloudiness, mold, or a sour smell, it’s time to discard.

Different Types of Simple Syrups

Looking to try other creative simple syrups? Try these simple syrup variations:

• Classic Homemade Simple Syrup – Sweet, neutral, smooth
• Lavender Simple Syrup – Floral, soothing, slightly citrusy
• Thyme Simple Syrup – Herbal, earthy, subtly sweet
• Demerara syrup – deep, molasses-like flavor
• Honey Syrup – floral and smooth, perfect for teas and bourbon cocktails
• Turbinado sugar syrup –  bold and unrefined
• Maple syrup blend – earthy and seasonal
• Agave syrup – low-glycemic and cocktail-friendly

Craving More?

This easy recipe comes together with just a few ingredients and no artificial coloring, no preservatives, and totally customizable. If you love this simple syrup recipe, check out my Iced Lavender Oat Milk Latte recipe, it’s another floral favorite that will elevate your coffee routine! Also be sure to Pin this recipe for later because your morning latte deserves to be a little extra!