DIY Simple Syrup Recipe

This simple syrup recipe is one of the easiest homemade staples you can make, and it only takes two ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

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If you’re new to making homemade staples, this is a great place to start. Simple syrup is one of those pantry basics that costs pennies to make and saves you from buying those overpriced flavored syrups at the store. If you’re still learning your way around the kitchen, you may want to peek at How to Read a Recipe so you feel confident before you begin.

Simple syrup uses only two ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes. Once you make it yourself, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

What Is the Simple Syrup Formula?

Most people measure in cups, but I prefer teaching in parts because it makes scaling any recipe easy. A “part” can be anything: a cup, a tablespoon, a jar—whatever measurement you want to use.

For simple syrup, the formula is:

2 parts sugar to 1 part water

So if 1 part = 1 cup, then you’ll use 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. If you only want a small batch, you can use 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Same ratio, just scaled down.

Understanding parts makes you a more confident DIY cook because you’re no longer tied to exact cup measurements—you’re learning how to actually read recipes, not just follow them.

Is Simple Syrup 2 to 1 or 1 to 1?

Both exist, and they serve different purposes.

1:1 (equal parts) – This makes a thinner syrup. Great for sweetening iced tea or lemonade.

2:1 (rich syrup) – This is thicker and sweeter. It lasts longer in the fridge and blends beautifully into iced coffee, cocktails, and baking recipes.

In this post, we’re making the 2:1 version because it’s richer, has better shelf life, and tastes more like those expensive store-bought syrups—without the chemicals and preservatives.

How to Make a Fast, Simple Syrup

The fastest way is the stovetop method:

Add sugar and water to a saucepan over low heat.

Stir just until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil—once it’s blended, you’re done.

Remove from the heat and let it cool. That’s it.

There’s also a “cold shake method” where you add everything to a jar and shake until dissolved, but I find a few seconds of gentle heat gives a smoother result.

Simple Syrup Alternatives

If you’re trying to avoid white sugar or want to grow your own sweetener sources, you’ll love this resource from my other site:

20 Sweeteners You Can Grow or Produce

Homesteaders are creative people—we don’t always run to the store when something runs out. Honey, maple syrup, sorghum, monk fruit, and even fruit reductions can all work as natural syrup alternatives depending on what you’re making.

Here are a few simple syrup substitutions you can use:

Honey Syrup – Mix honey with a splash of warm water to thin it. Once diluted, it can be used as a 1:1 replacement in drinks and glazes.

Maple Syrup – Can be used straight without thinning. Adds a rich flavor and works well in coffee, cocktails, and baking.

Sorghum Syrup – Thick and deep in flavor. Best for bold recipes like BBQ sauces or bourbon-style drinks where a darker syrup works.

Homemade Fruit Syrup – Made by simmering fruit with water and straining. Great for sweetening pancakes, tea, and desserts, but not ideal for clear cocktails.

Stevia or Monk Fruit Syrup – Blend the powdered form with warm water. It sweetens drinks with just a few drops, but it won’t thicken like sugar-based syrup.

Quick Tip: Natural alternatives may sweeten differently or add their own flavor, so start with small amounts and adjust to taste.

What to Use Simple Syrup For

Simple syrup isn’t just for fancy coffee shops. Here are some real-life homestead ways to use it:

• Stir into coffee or iced tea.
• Add to lemonade or fruit drinks.
• Brush over fresh-baked cakes to keep them moist.
• Toss with fresh fruit to keep it from browning.
• Use in cocktails or mocktails.
• Drizzle over pancakes, pound cake, or ice cream.
• Add to homemade popsicles or sorbet.

Once you have a jar in the fridge, you’ll find all kinds of ways to use it.

DIY Simple Syrup Recipe (Using Parts)

Ingredients

• 2 parts sugar
• 1 part water

Example: 2 cups sugar + 1 cup water = one batch

Instructions

1. Add sugar and water to a saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir until completely dissolved. Don’t simmer or boil.
3. Remove from the heat and let it cool.
4. Pour into a clean jar and store in the fridge.
5. Pour into a clean jar and store in the fridge.
6. Keeps for up to 1 month in the refrigerator. For more extended storage, use the 2:1 formula like we’re doing here.

Once you have this simple syrup base recipe down, you can start experimenting with flavors—in the photo below, I made lavender, mint, and thyme syrups to sweeten our lemonade.

Coming Soon: Pumpkin Pie Coffee Syrup

I recently created a Homemade Pumpkin Pie Syrup recipe that tastes better than any seasonal coffee shop syrup (yes, even the DaVinci one!). It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for fall coffee or drizzling over warm desserts.

Why Homemade Simple Syrup Is Worth Making

Simple syrup is one of the easiest homemade staples you can learn, and once you understand parts, you can scale it to fit any jar you have. Homemade saves money, cuts out preservatives, and tastes better—plus, it just feels good knowing you made it yourself.

If you make a batch, let me know what you use it for—I love hearing other people’s kitchen tricks!