Vanilla Simple Syrup is a great way to enhance your favorite drinks and desserts and making homemade simple syrup couldn’t be easier. This vanilla simple syrup is versatile and easy to make, bringing a pure vanilla flavor to everything from your morning coffee to your favorite drinks and desserts.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Simple syrup is a mixture sugar dissolved in water and making your own simple syrup is quite easy. Regular simple syrup is an equal 1:1 ratio or equal parts water and sugar. Thin simple syrup is less sweet with a less viscous texture with a 2:1 ratio of water to sugar. Thick simple syrup is 2 parts sugar to 1 part water with a sweeter flavor. You can use use a variety of sugars to change up your simple syrup as well. Standard granulated white sugar makes a good standard simple syrup but you can also use demerara, brown sugar, honey or coconut sugar depending on your preferences.
Making your own syrup is incredibly easy with a much better flavor that store-bought syrup You can make a variety of flavors including Lavender Simple Syrup, Cranberry Simple Syrup, Cinnamon Simple Syrup, Honey Ginger Simple Syrup and Rosemary Simple Syrup.
Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Vanilla beans
How to use Vanilla Simple Syrup
You can use homemade vanilla syrup anywhere you’d like to add a bit of sweetness and classic vanilla flavor.
- Add vanilla bean syrup to your favorite tea beverages like hot or iced tea, chai tea or a london fog
- Make coffee shop style coffee drinks or espresso. You can create hot or iced vanilla lattes right at home (or make a batch of my French Vanilla Simple Syrup).
- You can also use vanilla simple syrup to make a number of delicious mocktails and cocktails (it would be a delicious addition to my Apple Cider Mimosa, Eggnog Martini or Baileys Espresso Martini)
- Add your syrup to a glass of warm or cold milk for an alternative to hot chocolate or chocolate milk
- Stir into plain yogurt to make homemade vanilla flavored yogurt
- Brush over cake layers for added moisture and sweetness
Cooking Tips
- Substitute honey, brown sugar or demerara sugar for the granulated sugar for a richer flavor
- For a thicker syrup use 2 parts sweetener to 1 part water
- Don’t have vanilla beans? You can use 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (I’ve included instructions below)
- If using vanilla extract I highly recommend using pure vanilla extract instead imitation for better flavor
How to Make Vanilla Simple Syrup
If using vanilla beans cut the vanilla beans in half and scrap out the seeds. Stir together the water, sugar and vanilla bean (both the split vanilla bean pods and seeds) in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved.
Cover and remove from heat, allow the liquid to steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain the vanilla bean and pour into clean glass jar.
If using vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract add the water and sugar to a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and transfer to a clean glass bottle or jar.
Storage
This homemade vanilla syrup can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
If you like this Vanilla Symple Syrup be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer
If you make this Vanilla Simple Syrup please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 strainer
- 1 glass bottle
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Cut the vanilla bean in half and scrap out the seeds. Combine water, sugar and vanilla bean (both the split pod and seeds) in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Cover and remove from heat, allow to steep for at least 20 minutes.
- Strain the vanilla bean and pour into clean glass jar. Serve as desired.
Recipe with Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract
- If using vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract add the water and sugar to a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and transfer to a clean glass bottle or jar.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Leave a Reply