Looking to sweeten your favorite iced tea, lemonade, or even a homemade latte without the fuss of stirring in sugar? This easy tutorial will show you how to make simple syrup with just two ingredients—and it comes together in minutes.

What Is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is just a fancy name for sugar dissolved in water—that’s it! It blends seamlessly into both hot and cold drinks, making it perfect for:

Iced tea or hot tea
Homemade lemonade or limeade
Coffee drinks (especially iced lattes)
Cocktails and mocktails
Sparkling water or homemade sodas
Even drizzling over fresh fruit or brushing onto cakes to keep them moist

And once you’ve made the basic version, it’s easy to flavor it with herbs, spices, or extracts to add something extra. Let your imagination run wild! Learning how to make simple syrup at home is one of the easiest kitchen skills you can pick up.

Simple Syrup Recipe

Simple Syrup (Basic Recipe)

This easy homemade simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar and water—perfect for sweetening iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and more. Ready in minutes and naturally gluten-free.

Author: Bridget | Happy Healthy Homey

Materials

1 cup cane sugar
1 cup water

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water.
Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Notes

To flavor your syrup, try adding lavender, vanilla extract, citrus zest, or a cinnamon stick while the syrup is still hot. Let steep, then strain before storing.

Flavor It!

Once you know how to make simple syrup, it’s fun to get creative with flavors. After the sugar has dissolved and the pan is off the heat, simply stir in your favorite add-ins while the syrup is still warm. Here are some delicious flavor options:

Lavender – Add 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender. Steep 20–30 minutes, then strain.
Vanilla – Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or add half a vanilla bean while warm.
Citrus – Add lemon or orange zest for a bright, fresh twist.
Cinnamon – Drop in a cinnamon stick to infuse warm spice.

Let the syrup cool completely and strain out any solids before storing.

Lavender simple syrup stirred into homemade lemonade—perfect for a sunny afternoon!

A Simple Staple You’ll Use Again and Again

Keep a jar of simple syrup in your fridge and you’ll always have an easy way to sweeten drinks or elevate everyday desserts. It’s one of those small, sweet things that makes life in the kitchen just a little more joyful.

From my happy, healthy home to yours,