Homemade Strawberry Simple Syrup

Strawberry simple syrup is a two ingredient recipe that’s easy to make at home! Add the syrup to any drink, latte, cocktail, or mocktail. Brush the syrup onto cake layers, loaf cakes, or other treats. Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream. It’s deliciously fruity and tastes like summer.

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Strawberry simple syrup

You’ll need strawberries, granulated sugar, and water to make this recipe. Easy right?

Strawberry simple syrup instantly make me think of spending our days outside in the garden or picking strawberries at a U-pick farm.

Simple syrups are typically made using equal parts water and sugar. Mix them over the stovetop so the heat helps dissolve the sugar, which creates a sweet syrup.

We’ll add fresh or frozen strawberries into the syrup and simmer to extract that delicious sweet strawberry flavor. Strawberries create a lovely red syrup that will look so pretty drizzled over some waffles or baked treats!

Ingredients

Strawberries: Use fresh or frozen strawberries in this recipe. If you use frozen, simmer the syrup for 2-3 extra minutes.

Granulated sugar: I’ve only tested this recipe using granulated sugar! It’s a pantry staple.

Water: Equal parts water and sugar.

Lemon juice (optional): Adds a bright tart taste to the syrup.

How to use strawberry simple syrup

Cafe Drinks

Add strawberry syrup to sweeten your favorite drinks. I usually add 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) of simple syrup to my drinks, but you can experiment to see how much you prefer. Here are some flavor combination ideas:

• iced strawberry matcha latte
• iced strawberry latte

Cocktails/Mocktails

Add strawberry simply syrup to your cocktails/mocktails to make the drinks fruity and sweet. Here are some drink ideas that pair well with strawberry:

• strawberry daiquiri
• strawberry basil smash
• rhubarb and strawberry collins
• strawberry margarita
• make any of these into a strawberry mocktail

Brush Onto Cake Layers

Bakers often brush unflavored simple syrup onto cake layers to keep them moist. Try brushing on strawberry simple syrup for a little extra flavor and moisture. To brush the syrup on, I use a pastry brush.

Other ideas:

• tea cakes
• muffin tops
• pound cakes
• donuts
• other baked treats that would benefit from a syrup glaze

BREAKFAST

• pancakes
• waffles
• fresh toast

Make Sodas At Home

A homemade soda is refreshing and easy to make. Choose sparkling water or club soda depending on your preference. Fill a glass with ice and add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of strawberry syrup. Add 14-16 ounces of club soda and swirl lightly before drinking.

Strawberry Lemonade

Doesn’t an iced cold strawberry lemonade sound refreshing on a hot summer day? A homemade strawberry lemonade would be lovely to serve at a party, BBQ, or make some just to keep in the fridge when you have a sweet craving.

Strawberry Cold Foam

If you’ve ever added cold foam onto your drink at a cafe, you’ll know it can be an extra charge. Try making it at home!

Add 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, and 1-2 tablespoons strawberry syrup (depending on your sweetness preference) into a tall glass. Use a handheld frother to whip until thick and foamy (about 30 seconds).

Let’s make strawberry simple syrup

Add water and sugar into a pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Turn down the heat and add the sliced strawberries. Simmer for about 10 minutes and strain the liquid into a glass jar. Discard the strawberries.

Storing

For the best taste, store in a glass jar for up to 1 month in the refrigerator.

FAQ’s

Fresh or Frozen Strawberries?

You can use either! When using frozen strawberries I like to let them simmer for a few extra minutes.

How Do I know The Syrup Is Ready?

Follow the times in the instruction card. Stir the syrup and watch how it gets thicker after simmering.

My Simple Syrup Crystallized

When you boil your syrup for too long, you create a much thicker syrup. Since too much water evaporated the simple syrup has a higher chance of crystallizing in the refrigerator. This can also happen if it’s been in the refrigerator too long.

If you want a thicker strawberry syrup, simmer it for a few minutes longer but make sure to use it within a week!

RECIPE CARD