How to make brown sugar simple syrup

Learn how to make the BEST Brown Sugar Syrup! Your only need two ingredients and five minutes to make this scrumptious Simple Syrup, and it's perfect for cocktails, coffee, tea, and so much more!

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Looking for an easy way to kick up the flavor of your favorite coffee and cocktails? Then, you have to try this delicious Brown Sugar Syrup!

This quick recipe is an easy twist on classic Simple Syrup. But I love it even more, because it not only sweetens your drinks, but it also adds a rich taste.

Make it in minutes using light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, which gives the finished recipe an even deeper flavor with crave-worthy caramel and toffee notes. The choice is yours!

This easy recipe makes a great coffee syrup or simple syrup for cocktails, but you can stir it into tea and other drinks, too. I'm even sharing a few ingenious ways to use it that you may not have considered.

Ready to try this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup for yourself? Keep scrolling for all the delectable details!

Why make your own simple syrup?

While you can definitely buy sugar syrup, here are a few reasons why you should make it from scratch instead:

• It's super quick and easy! No need to run to the store or Starbucks, when it takes just five minutes to make at home.
• You only need two ingredients (sugar and water), and you probably already have both on hand. Plus, no preservatives or mystery ingredients.
• It's much cheaper! Why pay $10 for something that costs pennies to make at home?
• You can add your own flavorings. Customize this basic recipe with vanilla, cinnamon, and more. See my easy tips below for more ideas!

Ingredients

You only need two basic ingredients to make this delicious simple syrup:

• Brown Sugar - You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for this recipe, and either will work just fine. Just keep in mind that if you use dark brown sugar, the finished syrup will have a deeper, stronger flavor.
• Water - The only other ingredient you'll need is water. So simple, right?

The standard ratio is 1:1 ... one part water to one part sugar. Once you know that, you can make this sweetener in any quantity—from small to large—that you need. It's also super easy to customize with other flavors! Check out my tips in the Variations section below.

You'll Also Need

To make the recipe, you'll need a small pot to cook the syrup in, as well as a jar (or another airtight container) to store it.

How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup

This flavor-packed syrup couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed, printable recipe below, but here's quick overview of the steps:

1. Combine ingredients. Start by combining the ingredients in a small saucepan. The ratio is one part brown sugar to one part water, so it's easy to cut the recipe in half or double it, depending on how much you need.
2. Heat the syrup. Place the saucepan over medium heat, then warm the ingredients slowly, stirring constantly until the liquid becomes clear. It should only take about two to three minutes total. You do not need boiling the syrup.
3. Cool the syrup. Once the simple syrup has finished cooking, let it cool completely before using it.

And that's all there is to it ... couldn't be easier, right? Which is why you'll want to keep a batch of this tasty DIY Brown Sugar Syrup in your fridge at all times!

Variations

Now that you know how to make this homemade Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, you can have fun experimenting! Here are some easy ideas:

• Vanilla - You can easily add an extra layer of flavor by including vanilla. I'd recommend stirring two to three teaspoons of vanilla extract (to taste) into the finished syrup. Another option is to add a whole vanilla bean to the other ingredients as you heat it. Remove the bean once the syrup has cooled.
• Cinnamon - Personally, I think this syrup tastes even more delicious with the addition of some cinnamon! Check out my Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup for the easy recipe.
• Other Spices - Other spices also work great in this recipe. Consider warm spices that you might use in baking, like nutmeg or cardamom, which are especially tasty paired with the brown sugar.
• Extra Sweet - Despite all the sugar, this recipe isn't overly sweet once it's diluted it in a drink. If you'd prefer to make your syrup extra rich, sweet, and thick, use two parts sugar to one part water when preparing the recipe.

Storage

Store the finished syrup in an airtight container in your refrigerator. I usually keep mine in a mason jar, although a bottle with a spout is even more versatile and less messy for pouring. The sweetener will keep for about one month in the refrigerator.

How to Use Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

The flavors of this delicious syrup are super versatile! Sweeten your favorite coffee and tea drinks, cocktails, or use it in breakfast and dessert recipes. Here are a few ideas:

• Coffee - Mix a little of this coffee syrup into your morning cup or use it to sweeten any coffee drink. It's especially great for cold drinks (no sugar crystals to dissolve), such as Iced Coffee (including this Instant Iced Coffee), Iced Lattes, or this popular Shaken Espresso.
• Cold or Hot Tea - Stir a spoonful into into your daily cup for an afternoon treat, or use it to make a batch of iced tea. You can also use it in tea drinks, like boba or this cozy Cinnamon Milk Tea (instead of the maple syrup).
• Steamer - Make a kid-friendly Brown Sugar Steamer / Babyccino by mixing a little syrup into steamed milk. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Delish!
• Cocktails - Add extra depth of flavor to your fave cocktails! The brown sugar cocktail syrup pairs especially well with dark liquors, like rum, whiskey, or bourbon. Try it in this Rum Old Fashioned, Apple Cider Moscow Mule, Dark Rum Mojito, or this Iced Irish Coffee.
• Pancakes + Waffles - Out of syrup? Drizzle a little of this liquid brown sugar on top instead!
• Oatmeal - Use it to sweeten a bowl of hot oatmeal or homemade Overnight Oats.
• Desserts - Drizzle this Brown Syrup over cake layers and cupcakes before frosting to keep them moist, or use it to sweeten fruit salads and other desserts, like this wonderful Mixed Berry Compote!

Related Recipes

Now that you know how easy it is to make homemade simple syrup, you can experiment with other flavors! Here are some easy recipes to try:

• Basic Simple Syrup - The classic, go to recipe that's super versatile for drinks and so much more.
• Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup - Very similar to this recipe, but with a twist of cinnamon. So mouthwatering!
• Raspberry Simple Syrup - The ideal way to use up sweet seasonal fruit. I love it in a French 75, a glass of lemonade, and more.
• Jalapeño Simple Syrup - Perfect for all your spicy cocktails!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Need more info? Checked out these frequently asked questions about this recipe!

What's the difference between simple syrup and brown sugar syrup?

Brown sugar syrup is a type of simple syrup that has been made with brown sugar instead of granulated sugar. The brown sugar gives it a deeper, richer flavor than classic simple syrup.

Do you need to boil simple syrup?

You do not need to boil simple syrup. Just cook it over medium heat, stirring constantly, until all the sugar crystals have dissolved.

What is brown sugar?

Brown sugar is crystalized sugar that has molasses added into it.

What does brown sugar syrup taste like?

Brown sugar syrup has a rich, sweet flavor with notes of caramel and toffee. If you make it with dark brown sugar, you may also detect a hint of molasses.

Learn how to make the best homemade Brown Sugar Simple Syrup in minutes using just two ingredients!

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 24 servings

Calories: 23kcal

• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup water

• Combine brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

• Cook, stirring constantly, just until sugar is dissolved and syrup is clear. (Do not boil.)

• Remove from heat, then cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container and store in refrigerator.

Recipe makes about 1.5 cups, or 24 servings (1 tablespoon / serving).

Dark or light brown sugar will both work for this recipe. Dark brown brown sugar will give the finished syrup a slightly richer flavor.

Stored in the refrigerator, simple syrup will keep for about one month. If you don't think you'll use it up in one month, feel free to cut the recipe in half.

Make sure to check out all the info before this recipe tons of tips, tricks, and variations, plus ideas for how to use the finished syrup!

Calories: 23kcal

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