5-Minute Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe
This easy 5-minute homemade vanilla simple syrup is a versatile sweetener perfect for enhancing your favorite beverages and recipes. Made with just water, granulated sugar, and vanilla bean paste, it dissolves quickly on the stovetop to create a clear, fragrant syrup that adds a rich vanilla flavor to cocktails, coffee, teas, and desserts.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage Syrup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Combine water and sugar: In a small or medium saucepan, whisk together ½ cup water and ½ cup granulated sugar over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to help dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer the mixture: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, continuing to stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and the liquid becomes clear. Once fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add vanilla: Stir in ½ tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract until evenly incorporated into the syrup.
- Cool and store: Let the syrup cool before using it immediately, or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks, ready to sweeten your favorite drinks and recipes.
Notes
- Use vanilla bean paste for a more intense and natural vanilla flavor, but vanilla extract can be substituted.
- You can double or triple the recipe to keep a larger batch on hand.
- Store the syrup in the refrigerator in a clean, airtight container for up to 2 weeks to maintain freshness.
- This syrup is great for sweetening iced coffee, tea, cocktails, lemonades, and desserts.
- Make sure to fully dissolve the sugar over simmering heat so the syrup is smooth and not grainy.