Homemade Cane Sugar Simple Syrup

Homemade Simple Syrup Recipe

How to Make Simple Syrup with Cane Sugar (or White Sugar)

This deliciously easy cane sugar simple syrup recipe is made with just 2 ingredients and ready in minutes! The perfect homemade simple syrup for coffee drinks, refreshing summer drinks, cocktails, and mocktails. Learn how to make simple syrup with cane sugar and water—or you can use regular granulated white sugar if preferred.

Personally, I love to use this cane sugar simple syrup to sweeten up homemade lemonade and homemade iced coffee drinks. It’s perfectly sweet, it mixes in seamlessly, and it couldn’t be simpler to prepare. Just bring the mixture to a light simmer, stir until the sugar dissolves, and that’s it! Plus, I like that the recipe is adjustable based on how sweet I want it.

I’ll show you how to make homemade simple syrup with the full sugar content, as well as and a lower sugar option. Alternatively, check out my other low sugar version and my sugar free keto simple syrup recipe made with allulose, erythritol, or monk fruit! (Or, for another natural sugar option, try my homemade coconut sugar simple syrup recipe.)

How to Make Simple Syrup from Scratch

In simplest terms, simple syrup is liquid sugar—a mixture of equal parts sugar and water. It’s an ideal sweetener for refreshing homemade drinks of all kinds, and it’s so easy to make in just 5 minutes.

• Bring sugar and water to a light simmer, stirring regularly.
• Just before it boils, turn off the heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Transfer to a jar and allow to cool before storing.

Homemade Simple Syrup Ratio

As noted, the typical homemade simple syrup ratio is 1-to-1 sugar to water—i.e., 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. You can use cane sugar or regular white granulated sugar, the ratio is the same! I think this ratio results in the perfect level of sweetness, and it yields about 1½ cups of cane sugar simple syrup. Of course, there’s room for variability:

• For a lower sugar option, try ¾ cup sugar + 1 cup of water. Just keep in mind, the taste will also be less sweet!
• For a low sugar simple syrup that’s still just as sweet, try using ½ cup sugar + ½ cup allulose + 1 cup water. (See my low sugar & keto simple syrup recipes.)

Does simple syrup need to be boiled?

No, simple syrup doesn’t need to be boiled. In fact, you don’t want to bring this cane sugar simple syrup recipe to a full boil because it may scorch! Just bring the sugar and water to a light simmer, and turn off the heat just before it fully boils.

It’s also possible to make simple syrup without any heat at all—though I haven’t personally tried this. I’ve seen some people have success dissolving granulated white sugar (rather than cane sugar) in room temperature water to create an easy simple syrup. Just know that a cold simple syrup will spoil faster than one made over heat!

How to Store Simple Syrup

To store your homemade simple syrup, transfer to a jar or bottle with a lid. Make sure it’s cooled to room temperature before sealing, though! Store the sealed container in the fridge to use in coffee drinks, iced tea, lemonades, cocktails, or whatever you like!

How long does homemade simple syrup last?

Generally, homemade simple syrup will last 1-3 months in the fridge. Most recipes say only 1 month, but I find it can last longer than this. (However, if you make a cold simple syrup without any heat, it won’t last as long.) Of course, your eyes and nose are the best judges of when any food has spoiled!

Summer Drinks to Make with Homemade Simple Syrup

• Homemade Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
• Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
• Homemade Matcha Lemonade
• Very Berry Hibiscus Tea Lemonade

To see how this cane sugar simple syrup is made, watch my Homemade Lemonade + Summer Drinks video!