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Vanilla Simple Syrup

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Warm, fragrant, and endlessly versatile, vanilla simple syrup is the kind of kitchen staple you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. With just sugar, water, and real vanilla extract, this easy-to-make syrup instantly elevates your coffee, cocktails, baked goods, and more. Whether you’re stirring it into a vanilla sweet cream cold brew, hot latte, or drizzling it over pancakes, it adds that smooth, sweet touch that feels just a little extra special.

Side shot of two small glass bottles filled with a golden liquid of vanilla simple syrup. The bottles are on a wooden cutting board. The bottle closer to the camera has it's lid off and set beside the bottle on the left. There is also two vanilla beans on the left of the bottle and on the right is a teaspoon filled with white sugar.

Simple syrup is an easy recipe you can add to your recipe collection. You can make it just a little extra special by adding a dash of vanilla extract which I have done in this recipe. Make a batch and store it in the fridge for up to three weeks.

Equipment Needed

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Nothing too outrageous involved here:

Ingredients Needed for this Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe

Overhead shot of the ingredients needed to make Vanilla Simple Syrup. Ingredients are: water, vanilla extract, and white sugar.
  • Sugar – the sweetener for the syrup
  • Water – used for dissolving the sweetener, and keeps everything in liquid form
  • Vanilla extract – provides the vanilla essence that makes this syrup extra special. Best to use a good quality extract for best results.

How to Make Vanilla Simple Syrup

Into a small sauce pan add the sugar and then the water. Stir to combine.

Two side by side overhead shot photos. The picture on the left is of a small stainless steel saucepan with 1 cup of sugar in it. Above the sauce pan is 1 cup of water and some vanilla extract. The picture on the right is what the solution in the saucepan looks like after the water is added. It is cloudy and the sugar has not dissolved.

Place on a stovetop on medium heat. Heat with gentle stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool down for about 10 minutes.

Two side by side overhead shot photos. The picture on the left is of a small stainless steel saucepan with 1 cup of sugar dissolved in 1 cup of water. It has been heated and the sugar is fully dissolved. Above the sauce pan is a small pinch bowl of vanilla extract. The picture on the right is what the solution in the saucepan looks like after the vanilla extract has been added to the simple syrup. It is a clear golden brown color.

Stir in the vanilla extract and you are done.

Side shot of a bottle of containing a golden hue of liquid known as vanilla simple syrup. The lid is off the bottle and sitting to the left of it. On the right and up a bit is another bottle of vanilla simple syrup, and between them are two vanilla beans which help to indicate the flavor of the syrup.

Notes on Vanilla Simple Syrup

  1. You do not need to keep heating the simple syrup once the sugar has fully dissolved. You will know it is fully dissolved when the solution is clear (no longer cloudy or grainy).
  2. It’s best to let the simple syrup cool a bit before adding the vanilla extract so that you are less likely to lose some of the volatile vanilla flavor compounds.

FAQs

What are the best containers for storing vanilla simple syrup? I like to store mine in glass containers with a tight fitting lid. You can use plastic containers, but I just feel I’m less likely to pick up unwanted flavors by using glass.

How long can I store my homemade vanilla simple syrup? If storing at room temperature, it will stay fresh for about a week, and up to three weeks if stored in the fridge.

Can I freeze simple syrups? Yes you can. You could even portion it out into an ice cube tray and store the cubes in a zipper top bag for future use. Should stay fresh in the freezer for three months.

Can I make this syrup sugar free? I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why not. Just replace the sugar with your favorite sugar alternative.

Recipes Calling for Vanilla Simple Syrup

You can drizzle this homemade vanilla simple syrup over pancakes, waffles or French toast to mix things up at breakfast. Try it on my Brioche French Toast Casserole. It can also be used in coffee drinks like my sweet vanilla cream cold brew or chocolate cream cold brew (recipe coming), or even a Frappuccino (recipe coming).

You could also use this homemade vanilla simple syrup in cocktails which call for regular simple syrup like daquiris, mojitos or my pineapple jalapeno margaritas.

Side shot of two small glass bottles filled with a golden liquid of vanilla simple syrup. The bottles are on a wooden cutting board. The bottle closer to the camera has it's lid off and set beside the bottle on the left. There is also two vanilla beans on the left of the bottle and on the right is a teaspoon filled with white sugar.

Vanilla Simple Syrup

Warm, fragrant, and endlessly versatile, vanilla simple syrup is the kind of kitchen staple you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. With just sugar, water, and real vanilla extract, this easy-to-make syrup instantly elevates your coffee, cocktails, baked goods, and more. Whether you’re stirring it into a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold brew, hot latte, or drizzling it over pancakes, it adds that smooth, sweet touch that feels just a little extra special.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine American, British, Canadian, French
Servings 1.5 cups

Equipment

  • 1 Small Saucepan
  • 1 Measuring cup
  • 1 Measuring Spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Sugar (white granulated)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Instructions
 

  • Into a small sauce pan add the sugar and then the water. Stir to combine.
  • Place on a stovetop on medium heat. Heat with gentle stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool down for about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract and you are done.

Notes

  1. You do not need to keep heating the simple syrup once the sugar has fully dissolved. You will know it is fully dissolved when the solution is clear (no longer cloudy or grainy).
  2. It’s best to let the simple syrup cool a bit before adding the vanilla extract so that you are less likely to lose some of the volatile vanilla flavor compounds.
Keyword Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup, Vanilla Simple Syrup, Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe

If You Liked This Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe…

If you liked this recipe, please consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment below – I love to hear how people get on with my recipes and I truly make an effort to respond to everyone who takes the time to comment. Other recipes you might enjoy include:

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side shot of maple syrup being poured out of a white ceramic jug onto a slice of brioche French toast casserole on a black plate. The golden syrup is glistening in the light and dripping down the front edge of the casserole. Fresh raspberries and blueberries are garnished on the side of the plate, and in the background are other breakfast items like a glass of orange juice and another serving of French toast.
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Comments

  1. Stephanie

    5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! I’m using it in my morning lattes, and it is the perfect amount of vanilla.

    Reply

  5. Risa

    5 stars
    I’ve never thought of making this to keep on hand, and I love this simple and delicious recipe! Looking forward to making this, thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

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