Simple Syrup Recipe

Updated: June 17, 2026

Over the years, I’ve developed, tested, and shared countless drink recipes on Elicit Folio, all with a focus on quality ingredients and reliable results. As someone who enjoys entertaining, crafting cocktails, and elevating everyday sips, homemade simple syrup is a must-have in my kitchen. I don’t believe in buying simple syrup, especially once you learn how easy it is to make! This post is based on hands-on experience using various sugars, experimenting with simple syrup variations, and understanding what works best across a variety of drinks and cocktails. This guide will also give you everything you need to confidently make your own liquid sweetener, without bought preservatives.

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What Is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is just what it sounds like, it is a simple sugar water solution made by dissolving sugar in water. To make simple syrup, you can melt these two ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium heat. It blends effortlessly into cold beverages, unlike granulated sugar, which can sit undissolved at the bottom of your glass. The standard ratio of sugar to water will always be 1:1, but you can adjust it to suit your taste or needs.

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Quick Simple Syrup Video Tutorial

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Simple Syrup Recipe Ingredients

• 1 part Sugar (white, brown sugar, turbinado, or raw sugar all work!)
• 1 part Water
• Optional Infusions: vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, fresh herbs, culinary grade flowers, fruit juice, or essential oils for flavor variations

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How to Make Simple Syrup for Cocktails and Mocktails

1. Combine Sugar and Water – In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.

2. Heat and Stir – Warm water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Be sure to not let it boil. A gentle simmer works best.

3. Cool and Store – Allow mixture to cool to room temperature before transferring to a mason jar or airtight container. Refrigerate for freshness.

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Simple Syrup Recipe Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s easy to customize simple syrup with different sugars or flavors. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Rich Simple Syrup – You can use a 2:1 ratio of this recipe to create a rich simple syrup. which is two parts sugar to one part water. The result is a thicker, more concentrated syrup that’s perfect when you want just a small splash of sweetness in cocktails, cold brew, or homemade soda.
• Brown Sugar Simple Syrup – Our family loves making brown sugar simple syrup for whiskey based drinks, or coffee drinks as well. To make, simple swap white granulated sugar for light brown sugar at the same 1:1 ratio. The molasses in brown sugar adds a warm, caramel-forward depth that’s incredible!
• Mint Simple Syrup – This syrup is so easy to make. Follow the base recipe, turn off the heat, then immediately steep a large handful of fresh mint leaves in the hot syrup for 20 minutes before straining. This is the perfect syrup to use in lemonades, mojitos, mint juleps, fruit salads, or drizzled over watermelon.
• Lavender Simple Syrup – You can take the same base of this recipe and add 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender buds to your sugar and water as it simmers. Strain before storing. The result is a light, floral syrup that’s beautiful in sparkling water, lattes, and spring cocktails.
• Thyme Simple Syrup – This syrup adds an herbal twist to your drinks and desserts with the same 1:1 water to sugar ratio. Made with fresh thyme, sugar, and water, it’s the perfect way to elevate cocktails, lemonades, lattes, and more with a subtly sweet, earthy flavor.

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How to Store Simple Syrup

It’s important to properly store your homemade simple syrup. This will help preserve your syrup’s flavor, texture, and overall shelf life. Below you will find a few storage tips:

• Use an airtight container: A clean mason jar or glass swing bottle is ideal
• Refrigerate: Once cooled to room temperature, store it in the fridge. It’s important to not place hot simple syrup in the refrigerator. When syrup is still hot and you seal it, condensation will collect inside the container, which will lead to bacteria growth.
• Shelf life: basic syrup (1:1 ratio): Can last up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.  A rich syrup (2:1 ratio): can last up to 1 month. You should discard your simple syrup if it appears cloudy, has mold, or gives off a smell.

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Cocktails with Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a bar essential and a staple in many classic cocktail recipes. Here’s how to use it like a pro:

• Classic Margarita
• Lemon Drop Martini
• Whiskey Sour 
• Mojito 
• Tom Collins 
• Old Fashioned 
• Mocktails & Spritzers – Add to non-alcoholic drinks with fruit juices, sparkling water, and herbs for a sophisticated sip

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Different Types of Simple Syrups

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

• Thyme Simple Syrup – Herbal, earthy, subtly sweet
• Lavender Simple Syrup – Floral, soothing, slightly citrusy
• Rose Simple Syrup – Delicate, floral, lightly 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

These can be used in everything from iced lattes, coffee syrup, and iced tea to glazes for pound cakes or even drizzled over ice cream.

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Never Buy Store-Bought Simple Syrup Again

With just two simple ingredients (sugar and water),  you can make an incredibly versatile liquid sweetener that enhances everything from a morning iced coffee to cocktail hour. Making your own syrup at home saves money, avoids additives, and lets you control the sweetness and flavor. So next time you reach for a simple syrup, skip the grocery store and stir up your own homemade simple syrup instead. 📌 Save this post for later and tag @elicitfolio when you try it! I’d love to see how you use your syrup in your favorite drinks and desserts!