Shelf Life of Simple Syrup
Simple syrup isn't just for cocktails. It's a handy sweetener for drinks, baked goods and cooking, and knowing the Shelf Life of Simple Syrup means you can keep it in your fridge all year long.
Classic simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water and keeps in the fridge for about a month. A thicker rich syrup (2:1) lasts up to 6 months, since the added sugar helps it keep, so it's a good make-ahead staple for cocktails, coffee and baking.
Simple syrup is the base for plenty of our drinks, like our Apple Cider Old Fashioned and Peppermint Mocha.
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by cooking sugar and water until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens. Since the sugar is already dissolved, it blends easily into cold drinks and cocktails, where plain granulated sugar would stay gritty. It's also handy in baking and cooking, and you can infuse it with fruit, herbs or spices for flavored syrups.
Jump to:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
"Definitely, better than store-bought!"
-Kimberly
Ingredients
You likely have both ingredients on hand already, so you can start making this right away.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- White Granulated Sugar: The base of the syrup, which thickens into a sweet syrup as it cooks.
- Water: The liquid that dissolves the sugar and cooks down into the syrup.
All you need is a small saucepan to cook down the sugar. To keep the syrup in the fridge, use an airtight glass jar with a lid.
Variations
- Apple Cider Simple Syrup: Replace the water with apple cider and add a few spices for a cozy fall twist. See our Apple Cider Simple Syrup.
- Fruit Syrups: Add equal parts berries for a fruity twist on the classic. We've used blackberries for a delicious version, our Blackberry Simple Syrup.
- Light or Dark Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives the syrup a deeper flavor.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Stir in a little vanilla extract for a vanilla syrup. A vanilla bean works well too.
- Salted Caramel Simple Syrup: Skip the fancy coffee shop and make your own salted caramel version for seasonal drinks.
- Herbs: Fresh mint, rosemary, basil or thyme are all great options.
- Spices: Festive fall spices like cloves, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg are other ways to mix it up.
How to Make Simple Syrup
This simple syrup comes together in just one step.
Bring ingredients to a boil over medium-low heat.
Keep a rolling boil for about 15 minutes, stirring periodically. Adjust the heat if needed.
Allow it to cool slightly, then pour into a glass jar.
Hint: Write the date on the jar so you know when to use it up.
Recipe Tips
- Rich Syrup: Double the sugar for a thick syrup, also known as rich syrup. It has a more concentrated flavor and keeps for up to 6 months in the fridge.
- Crystallized Syrup: If the syrup crystallizes in the fridge, set the jar in a shallow bowl of hot water to help dissolve the sugar.
If you're after another drink to make, our Apple Cider Moscow Mule is a good one to try.
More Homemade Staple Recipes
Shelf Life of Homemade Simple Syrup
What is the shelf life of simple syrup? It depends on how you make it.
- Classic Simple Syrup: A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, cooked down and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, should last up to 1 month.
- Thick Simple Syrup: A 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, cooked down into a thicker syrup and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, should last up to 6 months.
How to Use Simple Syrup
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Add sweetness to your favorite drinks.
- Cold Beverages: Stir a tablespoon or two into a pitcher of lemonade or sangria.
- Hot Beverages: Use it in place of sugar in tea or coffee, or drizzle it on our Caramel Mocha Coffee.
- Cooking: Add it to a marinade to sweeten meat dishes.
- Glaze: Drizzle it over vegetables in the final stages of cooking, like our Maple Brussel Sprouts.
- Syrup: If you're out of maple syrup, use a brown sugar version over our Gluten Free Buttermilk Waffles or Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes.
- Baking: Brush it over cakes or cupcakes before adding any toppings or icing for extra sweetness and moisture.
Simple Syrup FAQs
Brown sugar works well and gives the syrup a deeper flavor that's rich in molasses.
If you don't have simple syrup on hand, maple syrup or honey will work, but the flavor will change. For most drinks, plain sugar is also a good substitute.
Traditional simple syrup is naturally gluten free, since it's made with just sugar and water.
Add spices or fresh herbs to the pan while the syrup cooks, then strain them out at the end. You can also swap the water for a juice. We love cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, cranberries, apple cider and mint.
More Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Save time by having a grocery list automatically generate for you by clicking the "Add to Shopping List" below.
Shelf Life of Simple Syrup
Equipment
- Measuring Cup
- Small Saucepan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 200 grams granulated sugar (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Bring ingredients to a boil over medium-low heat.
- Keep a rolling boil for about 15 minutes, stirring periodically. Adjust the heat if needed.
- Allow it to cool slightly, then pour into a glass jar.
Notes
- Rich Syrup: Double the sugar for a thick syrup, also known as rich syrup. It has a more concentrated flavor and keeps for up to 6 months in the fridge.
- Crystallized Syrup: If the syrup crystallizes in the fridge, set the jar in a shallow bowl of hot water to help dissolve the sugar.
- Classic Simple Syrup: A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, cooked down and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, should last up to 1 month.
- Thick Simple Syrup: A 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, cooked down into a thicker syrup and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, should last up to 6 months.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Definitely, better than store-bought!
We agree - thanks!
This is such a quick recipe that we whip up usually once a month now and keep it in the fridge. You just never know when you need it, and it can be used in so many drinks.