Starbucks Simple Syrup Recipe

This Starbucks simple syrup recipe is great for making your favorite cold coffee drinks. Making your own homemade syrup can save you tons of money because you can make your favorite drinks at home and skip the lines at the coffee shop.

Love your local coffee shop for your morning pick me up? Same here. But this summer, I've been learning to make my favorite coffee drinks in the comfort of my own home with my homemade simple syrup. 

The great thing about the Starbucks simple syrup recipe copycat is that it's great for hot drinks and cold drinks. We use it to sweeten iced or hot coffee, but this classic sweetened syrup can be used for so much more like cocktails, bubble tea, hot chocolate or just about any drink you want to add a touch of sweetness to. 

If you have never tried making homemade simple syrup yourself, you need to give this a try. I promise it will save you money while letting you create your own signature Starbucks coffee beverage at home.

Try this delicious Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino next!

Ingredients

This is an overview of the recipe. Please scroll to the bottom of the post for precise amounts and printable recipe card.

White granulated sugar - this is just standard white sugar used in baking

Water - filtered for best results, but tap fine too

How to make simple syrup

1) Combine sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. 

2) Stir occasionally as sugar dissolves. 

3) Dissolve sugar completely, until mixture is clear.

4) Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before storing in a glass bottle or mason jar.

How to make iced coffee

Making your own iced coffee is a delicious way to enjoy a cold drink on a hot day!

Start by filling your glass with ice cubes. Add some cold brew coffee or freshly brewed coffee that's at room temperature or has been chilled. Fill the glass about two thirds full.

Add your homemade simple syrup, to taste.

Top with your favorite dairy like half and half or whole milk.

You can also use non-dairy milk such as oat milk or almond milk.

Tips

• Simmer the sugar mixture, don't boil it.
• Be sure to let the simple syrup cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
• This recipe makes about one cup. You can increase or decrease the amount needed by using equal parts or a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. For example, try 2 cups of water and two cups of sugar for a larger quantity.
• Experiment with sugar free powdered sweetener or sugar free liquid sweetener for a low calorie option

Variations to try

This Starbuck simple syrup recipe is like liquid sugar and is a great way to sweeten iced tea and cold brew coffee. There are a variety of ways to change things up. Here's a few ways to add unique flavors to your homemade simple syrup:

• Add one or two cinnamon sticks 
• Use vanilla bean paste (store bought or from a split vanilla bean) or some vanilla extract (start with half to a full teaspoon) for a Starbucks vanilla syrup copycat
• Try other flavors like almond extract, peppermint extract, or orange extract. 

How to store

For best results, store in some kind of glass container like a mason jar or glass bottle. 

For the longest shelf life, store in the refrigerator for up to one month. On a personal note, I have kept mine for longer without issue. 

If you notice any mold or things growing on the surface or in the bottle, or if it starts to smell "off" it's time to throw it away and make a new batch.

​More drink recipes

• Easy Dalgona Coffee (TikTok viral recipe)
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe Bahama Mama Smoothie
• 25 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks
• Iced Tea Lemonade

📖 Recipe