Whip up a batch of this super simple brown sugar syrup to sweeten coffee, cocktails, tea and more. This recipe uses only two ingredients and takes just minutes to make.
Brown sugar simple syrup adds a depth of flavor to beverages, but it couldn’t be easier to make!
If you can boil water, you can make this at-home version of Starbucks brown sugar syrup to use in gourmet coffee drinks, hot teas, apple cider drinks and even cocktails.
You can use the syrup, with notes of toffee and caramel flavors, to make Spiced Caramel Apple Cider, in place of the Cinnamon Spice Caramel Simple Syrup.
Looking to sweeten up cocktail hour? Try adding it to a traditional Old Fashioned or this Moonshine Old Fashioned Cocktail.
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What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is made by dissolving sugar into water over heat. The resulting sugar water can be used to sweeten beverages.
Because the sugar is liqufied, it can be dispersed evenly throughout drinks. It won’t settle on the bottom of a glass like undissolved sugar crystals. The liquid sweetener is a great choice for cold beverages.
Traditional Simple Syrup versus Rich Simple Syrup
Classic simple syrup is made using equal parts (a 1:1 ratio) of granulated white sugar and water.
Rich simple syrup, which is sweeter and thicker, is made with 2 parts sugar to 1 part water (a 2:1 ratio).
You can also use different types of sugar to make simple syrup, such as turbinado sugar, Demerara sugar or brown sugar.
What Type of Brown Sugar Should I Use?
You can use either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for this recipe.
Light brown sugar, which is lighter in color and flavor, has less molasses in it than dark brown sugar.
Dark brown sugar has a stronger flavor, while light brown is milder. If you don’t like a strong molasses taste, use light brown sugar. The process of making the syrup may intensify the molasses flavor.
Ingredients
This really is a simple recipe, requiring only two ingredients:
- Brown sugar – Your choice of light brown or dark brown sugar
- Water – Straight out of the tap is fine
See recipe card for exact quantities.
You may want to infuse your brown sugar simple syrup with spices. Options include:
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- whole allspice
- vanilla bean
You can use a tea ball or a tea bag for the spice infusion, or just strain the prepared syrup through ultra fine cheesecloth before using it.
Some people prefer to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to their brown sugar syrup. Remove the syrup from the heat and add the vanilla after the sugar has dissolved.
How to Make Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Combine the water and brown sugar in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Do not boil.
- Remove the pan from heat. The syrup will thicken as it cools.
- Once cooled, pour syrup into a mason jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator.
Storage
Store brown sugar simple syrup in a glass jar or syrup bottle in the fridge for up to one month.
How to Use Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
Use brown sugar syrup in place of sugar, honey or maple syrup to sweeten hot or iced coffee, hot or iced tea, apple cider drinks, cocktails and gourmet coffee drinks.
For a coffeeshop experience at home, use it in a:
- Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte
- Chai Latte
- Snickerdoodle Latte
- Cinnamon Apple Cider
- Iced Coffee
In addition to adding it to the drinks, you can drizzle on top of a whipped cream garnish.
In cocktails, the syrup pairs particularly well with dark liquors and aged spirts, such as bourbon, dark rum or whiskey. Try it in these craft cocktails:
- Bourbon Smash
- Manhattan
- Old Fashioned
- Irish Coffee
- Mint Julep
- Mulled Wine
You can also drizzle the brown sugar simple syrup over a bowl of ice cream or desserts, like this Old Fashioned Applesauce Cake. It can also be used to sweeten oatmeal and other hot cereals.
A batch of syrup will make about anywhere from eight to 16 drinks, depending on how many pumps or tablespoons you use to sweeten each beverage. This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more syrup.
More Drink Recipes
If you liked this recipe, you may also enjoy these:
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Delicious Apple Cider Drinks
- Starbucks Inspired Caramel Apple Cider
- Cranberry Spiced Tea
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- Spiked Chai Latte
Pin This! Brown Sugar Simple Syrup Recipe
🎥 Recipe Card & Video
Easy Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark) packed
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the water and brown sugar in a sauce pan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the syrup to cool and thicken before transferring to a jar or bottle.
Notes
Storage
Store any unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month.Variations
You may want to infuse your brown sugar simple syrup with spices, including- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- whole allspire
- vanilla bean
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