Name: Homemade Coffee Syrup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 1/2 cup cane sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 Tbs. vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

This homemade coffee syrup adds just a hint of sweetness to the coffee experience! All you need is a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry!

homemade coffee syrup in small jar with flowers and coffee beans scattered around it

I love coffee…maybe a little too much. This homemade coffee syrup is something we try to always have around to sweeten our creations. Whether we make coffee in the french press or lattes with our espresso machine, it is the perfect addition to any coffee experience.

So many of the coffee syrups that you find in the store are full of artificial colors and since we try our best to avoid those I wanted to come up with an alternative. I was so happy when I discovered this! It is so easy and uses just a few ingredients that I already had.

I make this in small batches as we like to have a few different flavors of homemade coffee syrup on hand at one time and I don’t want any of it to go bad. It does last a while if kept in the fridge but I prefer it to be fresher so I just make small batches. You can double the recipe easily if you want a larger amount.

homemade coffee syrup ingredients on wood board

Why you’ll love this recipe…

It’s SO easy!
Uses just three ingredients that you already have in your pantry!
No artificial colors. It gets its caramel color from the sugar and vanilla alone.
Tastes amazing!
The variations are endless! There are so many different flavors you can try. Get creative with your coffee!

How to use homemade coffee syrup…

You can use this syrup in both hot and iced coffee. Just add anywhere from 1-2 Tbs. directly into your mug or jar depending on what you’re using. The amount you put in depends on how sweet you like your coffee to be.

I like just a hint of sweetness so I don’t put in very much. Just a swirl in my espresso shot before I pour in my steamed milk and it’s perfect! We like to use it for coffee we make in our french press and for lattes. I love to use in my afternoon latte when I sit down while the baby is napping and I can enjoy my coffee in the peace and quiet. It is my daily special treat that I greatly look forward to.

top view of homemade coffee syrup in a mason jar

Coffee Syrup is a great gift idea!

I just mentioned how pretty your caramel colored coffee syrup looks in a mason jar. How about giving it as a gift or part of a gift basket to someone you love? You could even tie a pretty ribbon around the rim and stick on a beautiful label to add a touch of character and thoughtfulness.

How to store:

You don’t have to have anything fancy for storing your coffee syrup. I just use small mason jars. I love how versatile mason jars are and that they can be used for so many different things. It’s practical and looks pretty too!

angled view of homemade coffee syrup in a jar

Ingredients for Homemade Coffee Syrup:

Cane sugar (1/2 cup) – I use organic cane sugar. It isn’t bleached so is darker in color. It gives the syrup a beautiful caramel colored hue.
Water (1/2 cup) – Just plain tap water or whatever water you use for drinking.
Vanilla extract (1/2 Tbs.) – Adds a delicious vanilla flavor and a darkens the syrup further. Homemade vanilla extract makes this even better! Find the recipe for it here.

Instructions:

sugar and water in a saucepan — 1. Pour sugar and water into a saucepan and place on stove over medium/high heat.

sugar and water in a saucepan being whisked — 2. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Continue whisking until mixture comes to a boil.

homemade coffee syrup boiling in a saucepan — 3. Once it starts boiling turn heat down to medium and boil for 5 minutes. Whisk occasionally. Watch carefully that it doesn’t boil over.

adding vanilla to homemade coffee syrup — 4. After 5 minutes remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Let cool till warm or completely before pouring into a jar.

Notes:

Store in the fridge for a shelf life of about 2 weeks.
If syrup crystalizes pour into a small saucepan and heat on low until it liquifies again.
This recipe easily doubles! I make in smaller batches to make sure it doesn’t go bad before we’re able to use it.

Yield: 3/4 cup

Homemade Coffee Syrup

This homemade coffee syrup adds just a hint of sweetness to the coffee experience! All you need is a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 Tbs. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Pour sugar and water into a saucepan and place on stove over medium/high heat.

2. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Continue whisking until mixture comes to a boil.

3. Once it starts boiling turn heat down to medium and boil for 5 minutes. Whisk occasionally. Watch carefully that it doesn't boil over.

4. After 5 minutes remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Let cool till warm or completely before pouring into a jar.

5. To use, pour between 1-2 Tbs. (or more!) into coffee depending on how sweet you like. Enjoy!

Notes

Store in the fridge for longer shelf life.
If syrup crystalizes pour into a small saucepan and heat on low until it liquifies again.
This recipe easily doubles!