Easy Homemade Simple Syrup Recipe (2:1)
This homemade simple syrup calls for just 2 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make! Our fast and easy traditional simple syrup is perfect for making cocktails and a variety of other drinks too. It’s quick and simple to make, and is way cheaper than anything you can get at the grocery store!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information see my full disclosure here.
Making your own simple syrup, honestly couldn’t be any easier and is definitely a good staple to have on hand if do you a lot of cocktail-making and entertaining!
When I first flipped through a book of cocktail recipes, trying to create a list of all the basic ingredients I would need to start this cocktail endeavoring. And simple syrup was without question at the top of the list.

At first, I planned to buy some the next time I headed to the store, but I was getting a little impatient and really wanted to try out the new recipe I had found. So I did what I usually do and headed to my computer to see just how easy it would be to make my own simple sugar syrup at home.
I was surprised to learn how easy syrup-making was. And that I needed nothing more than sugar and water to make my own simple syrup!

Over the past year I’ve done a fair bit of research on making simple syrup and even tried out several different ways of making it. And I’m happy to say I’ve finally landed on what I believe is the best simple syrup recipe!
This recipe is a must if you love making cocktails at home, and if even you don’t I would still highly recommend giving this handy pantry staple a try!

Simple syrup vs. Rich simple syrup
Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned that there are two main ways to make simple syrup. And an odd third option I would never recommend using. The difference between these recipes or methods comes down of course to the ratio, also known as 2:1 and 1:1.
What is commonly referred to as simple syrup is made of equal parts water, and white sugar usually 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water. This recipe greats a clear, thin, sugary liquid. That has a shelf life of about 2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
This was the simple syrup I first tried making at home, and while it worked well, I wasn’t exactly happy with it. I felt it tasted a bit watered down and the self life wasn’t very good. So I decided to do a bit more research on making simple syrup at home.

I was surprised to learn that the recipe I had made, wasn’t even considered simple syrup at all by a lot of people. What we know today as rich simple syrup, used to be the most common method for making simple syrup. Rich simple syrup uses the 2:1 ratio of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. This creates a thicker, sweeter, and richer simple syrup. That I personally think works way better for making cocktails and other drinks!
Not only does rich simple syrup taste better, but also offers a far better self-life than regular simple syrup. Rich simple syrup will last for at a least month, but it can definitely be stored for longer. Another interesting fact is that due to the high sugar content rich simple syrup can even be stored at room temperature!
Personally, I like to keep my in the fridge just to be on the safe side. And I usually try to use mine up within a month. But I have found that rich simple syrup can stay good for several months!
Of course always be sure to keep an eye on your syrups to make sure, that they haven’t gone bad. If you notice any odd smells, cloudiness, mold, or other growths in the syrup it’s always best to toss it and make a new batch.

As a final note, most cocktail recipes, especially old ones, probably call for rich simple syrup, even if the recipe says simple syrup. A lot of people aren’t sure when the ratio for simple syrup changed or why. And rich simple syrup is almost always the preferred simple syrup of most drink makers.
I definitely prefer a 2:1 simple syrup and that is of course what the recipe below is! But you can always play around with different recipes and see what you like best. I have even found some recipes that call for 1 part sugar and 2 parts water. But I would highly suggest staying away from them unless you want a very thin syrup, that will dilute your drinks and go bad within a week!

What to make with homemade simple syrup?
Homemade simple syrup really can be used in countless recipes! Not only is great for any cocktail recipe that calls for it, or those recipes you feel need an extra touch of sweetness. But simple syrup can also be used in a variety of different drink recipes.
I love using simple syrup to sweeten iced tea and lemonade. But it is also great in other cold drinks, like iced coffee and punch!
I love using simple syrup in cold coffee drinks, and lemonade as I find it mixes way better with cold beverages than granulated sugar does.
But simple syrup can also be used to sweeten hot tea and coffee. You can use it in oatmeal, and porridge, it can even be used in sauces and salad dressing! Really you can replace the sugar in just about any recipe with simple syrup!
You might have to play around with the ratios a little, but I find it’s great to use in liquid recipes. Especially cold drinks and any of your favorite cocktails!

How to Make Homemade Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- granulated white sugar, or superfine sugar
- water
Directions
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring the mixture to a low boil, whisking constantly.
Reduce the heat slightly and continue to whisk until the sugar dissolves completely about 5 minutes. I like to dip the back of a spoon in the syrup and check for any sugar granules. You want the sugar in your syrup to be COMPLETELY dissolved.
Be sure to keep your syrup at a simmer or a low boil, to help avoid any chance of it starting to burn or caramelize. Your syrup should be clear, with no sugar granules, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Remove your pan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Then pour the hot simple syrup into a clean mason jar, glass bottle, or other glass airtight container.
Allow your syrup to cool uncovered on the counter until it reaches room temperature. (you can cover it with a cloth or tea towel to help avoid getting anything in it.)
Then cover tightly with a lid and place the finished syrup in the fridge until ready to use!

Recipe Notes
Homemade simple syrup can be stored in the fridge for 2-4 weeks. If your syrup starts to smell off or look cloudy, I would recommend tossing it and making a new batch.
You can use cane sugar for this recipe, but I like to use regular white sugar, as it creates a clear syrup. Cane sugar will create a tinted syrup, and while it will still taste the same, I don’t like the added color it gives to drinks and cocktails.
Once you have mastered this basic simple syrup recipe, feel free to play around using different sugars to create different types of simple syrup! Some popular ones are brown sugar syrup, raw sugar syrup, and dark brown sugar syrup!
You can find the mason jars I used HERE. And my favorite glass bottles HERE!

Be sure to check out these homemade syrup recipes too!
How to Make Berry Simple Syrup | with any kind of berry!

Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring the mixture to a low boil, whisking constantly.
- Be sure to keep your syrup at a simmer or a low boil, to help avoid any chance of it starting to burn or caramelize. Your syrup should be clear, with no sugar granules, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove your pan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Then pour the hot simple syrup into a clean mason jar, glass bottle, or other glass airtight container.
- Allow your syrup to cool uncovered on the counter until it reaches room temperature. (you can cover it with a cloth or tea towel to help avoid getting anything in it.)
- Then cover tightly with a lid and place the finished syrup in the fridge until ready to use!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.