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    Home » Recipes » Beverage Recipes

    Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

    Published: Mar 29, 2021 · Modified: Jan 13, 2022 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Pinterest post: brown sugar simple syrup in a decorative jar.

    Brown Sugar Simple Syrup adds rich flavor and caramel sweetness to your coffee drinks, cocktails, and desserts! With just 2 ingredients and less than 5 minutes, you will have a delicious syrup that can be used in a variety of ways.

    Glass pitcher of brown sugar simple syrup, with cocktail spoon, shaker, and jigger.
    Jump to:
    • What is Simple Syrup?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Use
    • Flavor Variations
    • FAQs
    • Recommended Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    What is Simple Syrup?

    Simple syrup is essentially sugar in liquid form. Using a liquid sweetener is ideal for sweeteneding cold drinks, like Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. It mixes in completely to a cold beverage instead of sitting on the bottom of the drink.

    In keeping with its name, this syrup is so simple to make! It just takes two ingredients, sugar and water! This simple syrup recipe uses an equal ratio of sugar and water, so you can scale it up or down depending on how much you want to make.

    When heated together the sugar dissolves into the water, creating a delicious syrup.

    Ingredients

    Square bowl of brown sugar, pitcher of water, and stack of measuring cups.

    Brown Sugar: Classic simple syrup uses granulated white sugar. By replacing that with brown sugar you get a syrup that has a rich, caramelly flavor. You can use dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has more molasses and will result in a deep caramel flavor.

    Water: If you drink your tap water then it is fine to use it when making syrup. Strong flavored water could alter the flavor of your syrup, so use filtered water if your tap water isn't great.

    Instructions

    1. Heat the sugar and water on the stove until it begins to bubble.
    2. Once it starts bubbling turn the stove down to low heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
    3. Remove the pan from the burner and let it cool to room temperature.
    Square bowl of brown sugar, pitcher of water, and saucepan.

    How to Use

    Here are some other ways that you can use this recipe:

    • Sweeten coffee or tea
    • Pour a few tablespoons over cake to add moisture
    • Mix into cocktails
    • Make poached apples or pears
    • Stir into oatmeal
    • Add to plain yogurt
    • Use in place of maple syrup for pancakes and waffles
    • As a substitute in recipes that call for demerara syrup

    Flavor Variations

    • Vanilla Brown Sugar - After removing from the stovetop, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture. If you prefer using vanilla beans, slice one vanilla bean in half and scrape the seeds. Add the seeds and the pod to the pan before heating. Remove the vanilla bean pod before storing.
    • Cinnamon Brown Sugar - Add 2 cinnamon sticks to the brown sugar and water while it cooks. Remove the cinnamon sticks before storing.
    • Brown Sugar Citrus - Place the rind of an orange in the pan with the sugar and water before heating. Allow to steep in the syrup until the syrup has cooled, then remove.
    • Brown Sugar Spice - Put your favorite assortment of spices (cinnamon stick, clove, allspice, grated nutmeg, slices of ginger) into a cheesecloth and tie with twine. Place the cheesecloth in the sugar water while the sugar dissolves. Once the mixture has cooled, remove and discard the cheesecloth and spices.
    • I have not personally tried it, but I hear that substituting Swerve or Truvia's brown sugar blend are both great for a sugar-free brown sugar simple syrup!
    Overhead shot of glass pitcher filled with brown sugar simple syrup.

    FAQs

    How should I store this brown sugar simple syrup?

    Refrigerate your brown sugar syrup in an airtight container for up to 30 days.

    Can I adjust the batch size of simple syrup?

    This recipe can be made as big or as small as you wish! Though for batches a quarter cup or smaller, I recommend boiling the water first and then adding the brown sugar, stirring until dissolved.

    Why is my syrup cloudy?

    If the brown sugar and water mixture are left boiling for too long the liquid will become cloudy. To avoid this, reduce your burner to low heat once it has started to bubble, and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

    Can I make a simple syrup with tap water?

    If you drink your tap water then it should be fine to use for simple syrup. Just remember that the flavor of the water will impact the flavor of the syrup, so if you live in an area with unpleasant tasting water then it is best to use filtered water when making the simple syrup.

    Pouring simple syrup into a mason jar filled with ice.

    Recommended Recipes

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      Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)
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      How to Stabilize Whipped Cream with Cream of Tartar
    • 2 cranberry old fashioned cocktails
      Cranberry Old Fashioned Recipe
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      Berry Mint Julep Recipe

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    A glass bottle of brown sugar simple syrup.

    Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

    Recipe by: Erin
    Brown Sugar Simple Syrup adds rich flavor and caramel sweetness to your coffee, cocktails, and desserts! With just 2 ingredients and less than 5 minutes, you will have a delicious syrup that can be used in a variety of ways.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Total Time 4 minutes mins
    Course Condiments
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 tablespoons
    Calories 52 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar
    • 1 cup (240 grams) water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the water and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to bubble. (Do not let it come to a full boil or the syrup will become cloudy.)
    • Turn to low heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for several minutes, until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
    • Remove from heat and cool completely.
    • Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one month.

    Notes

    Storage: Refrigerate your simple syrup in an airtight container for up to 30 days.
    Batch Size: Multiply the ingredients to achieve your desired batch size. If you are making less than a quarter cup, boil your water first, then stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves.
    Tip: To minimize cloudiness, reduce your burner to low heat as soon as the mixture begins to boil, and stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Naomi

      April 12, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      I enjoy how simple and easy this is to make at home. I'm definitely going to try adding orange peel and cinnamon to this! It's going to be a common thing in my fridge from now on.

      Reply
      • Erin

        April 14, 2021 at 2:11 pm

        5 stars
        I think you are going to love it with cinnamon and orange peel! Let me know!

        Reply
    2. Naomi Jasven

      April 12, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy this recipe is to make! It tastes so exactly like the actual Brown Sugar syrup at Starbucks!

      Reply
      • Erin

        April 14, 2021 at 2:11 pm

        5 stars
        Yes! Mission accomplished!

        Reply

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    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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