• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Contact

The Anthony Kitchen logo

  • Comfort Food
  • Southern
  • Tex-Mex
  • Dessert
  • Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Comfort Food
  • Southern Recipes
  • Tex-Mex & Mexican Food
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index
  • About Kelly
  • Contact
×
Home · Recipes · Entertaining · Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Published: Nov 9, 2022 by Kelly Anthony · Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Kiss that Starbucks addiction goodbye. With this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, you'll be making barista-worthy beverages in your very own kitchen in no time. It's a delicious way to take your morning cup of coffee, afternoon tea, or favorite evening cocktail to the next level in only a few simple steps!

A glass bottle full of brown sugar simple syrup sits in the foreground with a smaller glass of syrup and a bowl of brown sugar in the background.

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup works just the same as a classic simple syrup, only it's made with brown sugar instead of white sugar, which gives it a deep, rich flavor profile similar to that of molasses, caramel, and even toffee (if you add salt, that is). It's the perfect way to elevate hot or iced drinks!

Made from only a few, simple ingredients, this recipe comes together crazy fast and lasts well over a month. It's an all-around great thing to have on hand and will save you tons of money by bringing the coffee shop to your house. It's equally delicious in coffee and tea (especially chai!) and we even use this syrup in our Pumpkin Mousse!

Brown sugar simple syrup being poured from a glass bottle into a coffee drink in a clear glass mug.

We can't forget the cocktails! This syrup would be great with the amaretto in an Italian Margarita or add a splash to our Rum Hot Toddy for an extra bit of richness and sweetness. The possibilities with this thing are literally endless and the effort is so minimal. It's a win-win combination!

For another fun take on simple syrup, whip up a batch of our Watermelon Syrup for sweet summertime vibes!

HOW TO MAKE BROWN SUGAR SIMPLE SYRUP

Simple syrups typically use a one-to-one ratio of sugar to water, and this recipe is no different! You'll add light or dark brown sugar and the water to a small saucepan and place it over medium-high heat.

Water being poured from a glass measuring cup into a pan of brown sugar.

If you'd like to add salt to enhance the flavor of your Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, now is the time to do it! All you need is a tiny pinch.

Stir occasionally and watch closely. As soon as your brown sugar fully dissolves and the water starts to boil, remove it from the heat and let it cool. You can add in the vanilla extract at any point during the cooling process.

Brown sugar simple syrup boiling in a pan.

This recipe makes about 1-½ cups of Brown Sugar Simple Syrup. You'll likely only use 1 to 2 tablespoons per drink depending on how sweet you like your beverages. That means you could easily make a dozen or more drinks from this one batch of simple syrup!

I like to keep my syrup stored in a small glass jar equipped with a pour spout, but you could also use a mason jar if you prefer. Once the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to your container of choice and store it in your refrigerator for up to three months! This is perfect to have on hand for entertaining! Speaking of entertaining, check out our recipes made specifically for entertaining!

ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS

Brown Sugar | Brown sugar is granulated sugar with the addition of molasses. The difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar is just how much molasses is added in.

Dark brown sugar in your Brown Sugar Simple Syrup will make for a slightly richer syrup, with a bit more intensity to it.

A close up of brown sugar in a pan.

Water | For pure, unadulterated brown sugar flavor, try using filtered water instead of tap water. Filtered water removes contaminants, but leaves in the minerals that make water taste good. This is certainly a bit on the "extra" side, and if you've got no qualms with water out of the faucet, pour on.

Vanilla | Another way of enhancing the flavor of your Brown Sugar Simple Syrup is to add vanilla extract. Just like with your favorite baked goods, vanilla extract is great for adding deep, complex flavors to every sweet thing it touches!

Take care not to add the vanilla to your syrup until after the syrup comes off the stovetop! Vanilla, similar to alcohol, will evaporate when heated. To not waste it, you don't want to add it until you are no longer cooking over direct, high heat settings.

Salt (optional) | Never underestimate the good salt can do in the presence of sugar. Salt enhances all the flavors; especially the sweet ones!

It may seem strange to think about salt being in drinks, but if you look at the ingredient label of commercially sold beverage syrups, you will most definitely find salt on the list of ingredients. Add a pinch to your brown sugar simple syrup just once, and you'll never go back again!

A glass bottle full of brown sugar simple syrup sits in the foreground with a smaller glass of syrup and a bowl of brown sugar in the background.

MORE BROWN SUGAR GOODNESS

  • Gingerbread Cookies
  • Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies
  • Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • Apple Cinnamon Bread
  • German Chocolate Cake
  • Praline Cake

  • a close up of a single piece of cake with pecan halves and shredded coconut on top. The layers look thick and moist and there are containers of nuts in the background

    German Chocolate Cake

  • a stack of cinnamon roll pancakes on a plate with vanilla glaze drizzled over top and cinnamon sticks beside it

    Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

  • A close-up shot of apple cinnamon bread with cinnamon swirls showing and bits of Apple.

    Apple Cinnamon Bread

  • A slice of praline cake on a white plate next to a bowl of pecans.

    Praline Cake

  • Two gingerbread cookies on a cooling rack with a bowl of sprinkles off to the side.

    Soft Gingerbread Cookies

  • Ginger Molasses Cookies

    Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies

Brown sugar simple syrup being poured from a glass bottle into a coffee drink in a clear glass mug.
Print Recipe
3.75 from 4 votes

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Whether it's coffee or cocktails, this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup recipe is such a game-changer when it comes to making drinks at home!
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
Servings: 8
Calories: 96kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 1 cup light or dark brown sugar sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Add sugar, water, and salt (if using) to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from the heat as soon as the sugar is dissolved, add the vanilla, stir, and set aside to cool completely.
  • Transfer to a jar, seal it and keep refrigerated for up to three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 25g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Image for PInterest

Sources: Watercare.com

« Cheese Grits
Steak and Eggs »
  • Share
  • Tweet

Looking for more recipes?

Be sure to check out the recipe index where you can browse recipes by meal type and category!

Check Out the Recipe Index

Reader Interactions

3.75 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

Trending recipes

  • A glazed meatloaf sandwich on toasted bread topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions, plated with crispy potato chips and dill pickles.
    Best Grilled Meatloaf Sandwich (Perfect for Leftovers)
  • Easy beef taco bowl topped with avocado, cheese, pico de gallo, and creamy cilantro sauce
    Taco Bowls
  • Christmas hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
    Christmas Hot Chocolate
  • Peppermint hot chocolate in a clear mug topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, with peppermint candies blurred in the background.
    Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
  • Glass mug of hot chocolate topped with a marshmallow snowman, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, and pretzel-stick arms; snowy bottle-brush trees blurred behind.
    Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
  • Festive dark hot chocolate in a clear footed mug with whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate sauce, surrounded by ornaments and chocolate pieces.
    Dark Hot Chocolate Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign up for weekly recipes

Contact

  • Work with me
  • Contact

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
We loved this recipe!!
Will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.