How to Make Coffee Syrup at Home: Easy DIY Recipes for Delicious Coffee Drinks

Enhancing your coffee at home is easier than you might think, especially with the addition of homemade flavored syrups. These simple recipes allow you to control the ingredients, adjust sweetness, and experiment with a variety of flavors to suit your preferences. Whether you’re looking for classic options like caramel and chocolate or exploring more unique profiles like lavender or ginger, homemade syrups are versatile, cost-effective, and customizable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a range of coffee syrups to elevate your daily brew.

Best Uses for Coffee Syrup

Making coffee syrups at home is not only incredibly easy but also a great way to liven up a variety of drinks and snacks at home. Here are just a few uses for homemade coffee syrup.

Coffee Drinks

If you’re a coffee lover and regularly make your own coffee at home, learning how to make your own coffee syrup is a must. You can add coffee syrup to everything from black coffee, lattes, cold brew, and more. 

Cocktails

You can also use homemade syrups in various cocktail recipes. Simple syrup recipes normally used for coffee can also be used to make old fashioneds, mint juleps, and whiskey sours. With flavored syrups, you can get even more creative and make all new cocktails.

Desserts

Knowing how to make your own syrups opens up a whole new world for your desserts. You can  make fruit-based syrups with  raspberry or strawberry to drizzle over ice cream, pancakes, and waffles, or make a ginger syrup to elevate cakes and cookies.

Breakfast

Breakfast isn’t always the most exciting meal of the day. Liven it up with some homemade coffee syrup. Drizzle your favorite syrup flavors over your yogurt or oatmeal for a little boost of flavor.

Simple Syrup Recipe for Coffee

If you only learn one coffee syrup recipe, let this be the one. This recipe is the foundation for all other coffee syrup recipes. Simple syrup only takes a few ingredients and whips up in just a few minutes. It also has a variety of uses beyond coffee, so keep this one on hand in your kitchen as often as you can.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water in equal parts.

2. Heat the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves. This usually takes 3-5 minutes.

3. Cool the Syrup: Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.

4. Store the Syrup: Transfer the cooled syrup to a clean, airtight container or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

How to Make Flavored Coffee Syrup

Once you’ve got the simple syrup recipe down, a whole new world opens up in terms of flavors and infusions. The following recipes are incredibly versatile and delicious, suited for both hot and cold coffee beverages. We’ll start with the basics of flavored coffee syrup and gradually get more technical and experimental.

Vanilla Coffee Syrup

Vanilla complements coffee incredibly well, so you’ll definitely want to get this recipe under your belt. Add it to your iced coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, and anything else you can think of.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Steps

1. Combine the sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan.

2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves. 

Chocolate Coffee Syrup

For mocha fans, this chocolate coffee syrup recipe is a lifesaver. You can also use this for milkshakes, desserts, and even as a base for hot chocolate. For use in coffee beverages, we recommend pairing chocolate syrup with our Belly Warmer roast, which has notes of dark chocolate and almond butter.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

2. Gradually add 1 cup of water, whisking to combine until smooth and no lumps remain.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously as the mixture heats up to ensure the sugar dissolves and the cocoa powder fully incorporates.

4. Bring it to a gentle boil and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the syrup thickens slightly.

5. Take the saucepan off the heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to balance the chocolate flavor.

Lavender Coffee Syrup

Lavender has quickly become a popular flavoring for coffee. Its light, floral flavor brings a touch of spring to any coffee beverage, complementing lighter roasts particularly well. You can also add a touch of vanilla to this recipe for a sweeter, more complex coffee syrup.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 2–3 tablespoons dried culinary lavender

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir to dissolve.

2. Stir in 2–3 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

4. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the lavender flavor.

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

6. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the lavender buds.

Mint Coffee Syrup

Mint syrup adds an effervescent brightness to any coffee beverage. Paired with other syrups, like mocha, you can have a festive latte virtually any time of year.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (lightly packed) or 2–3 tablespoons dried mint

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir to dissolve.

2. Add 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves (or dried mint) to the saucepan.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to extract the mint flavor.

4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool.

5. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the mint leaves.

Ginger Coffee Syrup

Ginger coffee syrup adds a warm, spicy kick to your coffee, perfect for a cozy and flavorful twist. You can also use ginger syrup to make a variety of desserts or add it to hot tea for a bit of extra warmth. A bit of ginger syrup in a latte made from our Costa Rica, La Pastora roast would elevate the tasting notes of gingersnap and almond for a slightly spicy coffee beverage.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/4 cup fresh ginger (peeled and thinly sliced) or 2–3 tablespoons dried ginger

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add 1/4 cup of fresh ginger slices or 2–3 tablespoons of dried ginger to the saucepan.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. 

4. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes to infuse the syrup with ginger flavor.

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool.

6. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the ginger pieces.

Orange Coffee Syrup

Orange coffee syrup brings a bright, citrusy flavor to coffee, adding a zesty twist to your drinks. You can also add it to your mochas for a tasty, citrusy twist. Orange coffee syrup would complement a latte made with our Colombia, Caro Chiroso roast incredibly well.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• Zest of 1 orange (use organic if possible)

• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add the zest of 1 orange (avoiding the bitter white pith) and 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice to the saucepan.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.

4. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to infuse the syrup with orange flavor.

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool slightly.

6. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the bits of orange zest.

Caramel Coffee Syrup

Making caramel syrup is a bit more complicated than homemade vanilla syrup, but the end result is so rewarding. The caramel flavor is richer and deeper thanks to the longer cooking time required. Grab a bag of our Guatemala, Ixlama roast and add a little caramel syrup the next time you brew a cup.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 cup warm water (set aside)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Stir to mix.

2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved.

3. Once the sugar is dissolved, let the mixture reach a low boil for around 15-20 minutes. You want the mixture to develop a nice golden color. Watch carefully as it can burn quickly.

4. When the caramel reaches a deep amber color, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully and slowly add 1/2 cup of warm water. Consider wearing oven mitts as the mixture will splatter.

5. Stir until smooth, heating again if necessary. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for added flavor.

Rose Cardamom Coffee Syrup

Rose cardamom syrup combines the floral aroma of rose with the warm, spicy notes of cardamom, making it a luxurious addition to your coffee, tea, or desserts. It’s an acquired taste for some, but perfect for those with adventurous palates that enjoy complex flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1–2 teaspoons rose water (adjust to taste)

• 3–4 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed) or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add 3–4 lightly crushed green cardamom pods or 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom to the saucepan.

3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.

4. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to infuse the syrup with cardamom flavor.

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

6. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cardamom pods or any ground cardamom residue.

7. Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of rose water, adjusting the amount to suit your taste. (Start with less and add more if needed.)

Elevate Every Cup with Coffee Syrup

Making your own coffee syrups at home is incredibly simple with many recipes only taking a few minutes to complete. Whether you’re craving something sweet, spicy, floral, or zesty, crafting your own coffee syrups allows you to customize every cup to suit your mood and taste. From classics like caramel and chocolate to unique blends like lavender or ginger, these easy-to-make recipes use simple ingredients to elevate your favorite brew.

And speaking of brews, don’t forget to use high-quality, freshly-roasted coffee for the best flavors. Our wide selection of single-origin and blended coffee roasts are complex, delicious, and always roasted fresh for the best possible quality. Grab a bag of beans and start experimenting with different coffee syrup combinations!

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