Sweeten up your coffee or cocktails with this delicious and easy recipe for Vanilla Simple Syrup. Made with just three ingredients, it's the perfect addition to any drink.
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If you are like me and love cute little beverages, like a vanilla latte, cold brew coffee, iced latte, or a Sunrise mocktail, you need to keep a bottle of Vanilla Simple Syrup on hand at all times. You can also add vanilla flavor to other recipes like yogurt parfait, making breakfast and brunch so much more delicious.
Having a jar of homemade vanilla syrup in your fridge makes it so easy to add flavor without much effort. My version is made with just sugar, water, and vanilla extract. I prefer extract over vanilla bean paste for syrups. Vanilla bean syrup contains vanilla seeds that settle at the bottom of the bottle, making it necessary to shake it before adding to my morning coffee, and I know I'm gonna forget.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Skip store-bought syrup. You just need 3 ingredients to make this homemade vanilla syrup recipe. I'm not sure how much I have to say about them, but let's take a look:
- Granulated sugar - Classic white sugar makes the cleanest tasting syrup, but using brown sugar will give you a deeper flavor.
- Water - Filtered or bottled water works best, but tap is fine.
- Pure vanilla extract - (DO NOT use imitation vanilla) This is my choice for a smooth, evenly flavored syrup. You can use vanilla bean paste, but keep in mind the seeds settle and it will need to be shaken before each use.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Variations
Vanilla syrup is a great jumping off point for a lot of other flavors that you can add to your beverages. Here are a few ideas:
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup - Add a cinnamon stick to the sugar and water while heating, then let it cool and remove it before storing. Perfect for fall drinks.
- Lavender Simple Syrup - Simmer dried culinary lavender buds with the sugar and water. Strain before bottling for a floral touch in cocktails or lemonade.
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup - Swap granulated sugar for light or dark brown sugar to add caramel and molasses notes. Amazing in iced coffee or bourbon drinks.
Cynthia's Recipe Review
This Vanilla Simple Syrup couldn't be easier - equal parts sugar and water, plus vanilla. It keeps well in the fridge and instantly elevates any coffee, latte, or even a mixed fruit salad.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is a very complicated recipe. See if you can keep up.
Step 1: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 2: Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer the liquid to a clean glass bottle or jar.
Cynthia's Helpful Tips
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Stir it in: Add a splash to iced coffee before stirring in milk. It blends perfectly without gritty sugar at the bottom.
- Gifting: Double or triple the recipe and pour into small swing-top bottles for an delicious gift that the recipient will use over and over.
- Indulge: Whether I'm having an iced or hot latte, I like to add my vanilla simple syrup not just to the coffee itself but also to the vanilla foam on top. Double flavor for me!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you have a whole vanilla bean you can take this to the next level and make a rich simple syrup. Take your vanilla bean pod and split it, scrape out the seeds, and simmer it in the sugar and water. Just remember to strain before storing or remember to shake the bottle before dispensing.
When stored in a clean, airtight container in the fridge, it will last about 2 weeks. If you notice cloudiness or an off smell, discard it.
Yes, you can swap the sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol, but keep in mind the flavor and consistency may be slightly different.
How to use vanilla syrup
Besides drizzling over fresh fruit, you can also use vanilla simple syrup as a soak between cake layers, over ice cream, along with maple syrup on pancakes and waffles, and of course, in coffees, smoothies, or even in your hot chocolate.
Did you try this recipe?
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I appreciate it so much!
-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup (Only 3 Ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
- Heat over medium, stirring until sugar is dissolved, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Use immediately or cool, then transfer to a glass jar.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Notes
- Store in the refrigerator in a sealed glass jar or bottle for up to 2 weeks.
- Shake or stir before using if the syrup has separated slightly.
- Try swapping granulated sugar for brown sugar, coconut sugar, or honey for a different flavor.
- Great in coffee, tea, cocktails, mocktails, or even drizzled over fruit.
Cynthia Christensen says
I always make a double batch because I use it every single day in my coffee!