This homemade vanilla simple syrup is made in 10 minutes from ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Use it in coffee drinks, tea, or cocktails for sweetness. Make your favourite coffee shop drinks at home!
This Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup rivals your favourite coffee shop drink. There’s no need to spend $7 per latte once you learn how easy it is to make this copycat recipe at home with basic ingredients. It tastes just like Starbucks vanilla syrup.
All you need is 10 minutes and 3 ingredients that you probably already have! White sugar, water, and either a fresh vanilla bean or vanilla extract.
This simple syrup recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan. It will keep in the fridge for a month, so you can save money on your favorite coffee drinks. Add it to hot or iced coffee, tea, or cocktails for a sweet kick with notes of vanilla.
This recipe makes a great gift for a coffee lover! Keep reading to learn how easy this vanilla coffee syrup recipe is to make.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Coffee shop flavour at home! No need to spend $7 on a flavoured latte when you can make this syrup and have enough for a month of drinks.
- Made in 10 minutes. All you have to do is watch the pot boil, then you’ll have homemade syrup for a month.
- Lasts for a month. Store cooled syrup in a covered glass jar in the fridge.
- Allergy-friendly. This recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Customizable. With just a few swaps you can make other flavoured syrups like my homemade brown sugar syrup.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make your own vanilla syrup:
- White sugar: Simple syrup is just a mixture of sugar and water. White cane sugar gives the most neutral flavour so that the vanilla can come through.
- Water: Use filtered water for the best tasting syrup.
- Vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract: I find that fresh vanilla pods steeped in the syrup provides the best flavour, but vanilla extract stirred in after cooking works just as well. If you have vanilla bean paste, add ½ - 1 teaspoon after cooking the syrup.
Substitutions
If you don’t have white sugar, use an equal amount of brown sugar for a brown sugar simple syrup. You can still add the vanilla extract or real vanilla bean to make vanilla syrup, or use another flavour like almond extract, butter extract, or mint extract. Add 1-2 teaspoon of extract after you have removed the boiled syrup from the heat, to retain most of the flavour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and simple steps to make vanilla simple syrup.
(1) Use a sharp knife to slice the vanilla bean all the way down its length. Place the sugar, water, and vanilla bean in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and whisk together.
(2) Once boiling, cook until the sugar dissolves (2-4 minutes).
(3) Remove from the heat and use tongs to discard the vanilla bean if using, or stir in the vanilla extract now. Pour the syrup into a glass bottle or airtight container.
(4) Allow to cool to room temperature then close the jar and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks.
How to Use Vanilla Syrup
This basic simple syrup is a great way to sweeten coffee, tea, or cocktails. It can be used in hot or cold beverages. Think cold brew, iced tea, hot chocolate, bubble tea, or an espresso martini. Start with about 2 teaspoons and increase or decrease depending on your preferences. Most coffee shop drinks will have 2-4 pumps, which is equal to 2-4 tablespoons.
Storage
Place syrup in a glass jar to cool completely. Cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for the best homemade coffee syrups:
- Whisk the ingredients together before boiling. This is the best way to ensure the syrup comes together smoothly and has no clumps.
- Don’t let the sugar water boil for too long. You just want it to appear smooth and homogenous, with all of the sugar dissolved. Boiled too long, and the syrup will become much too viscous once cooled.
- Remove the vanilla bean before jarring. If left in, the flavour may become much too potent over time.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely before closing and refrigerating. Condensation in the jar can cause the syrup to spoil prematurely.
- When using the syrup in a drink, start with 1-2 teaspoons and increase if you like it sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
I find that a fresh vanilla bean steeped in the syrup provides the best flavour, but vanilla extract stirred in after cooking works just as well.
If you don’t have white sugar, use an equal amount of brown sugar for a simple syrup. See my homemade brown sugar syrup, and add vanilla as directed in this recipe.
Keeping the syrup in the fridge will slow any bacteria production and keep it usable for longer.
Add ice to a large glass along with ⅔ - 1 cup milk of choice. Add your preferred quantity of syrup. Start out with 2 teaspoon if you like a light flavour and increase to 2 tablespoon if you like it sweet. Top with 2 freshly brewed shots of espresso. Stir to combine and enjoy.
You will be shocked by how easy it is to make vanilla simple syrup. This homemade vanilla syrup recipe is a delicious way to add vanilla flavor to your favorite drinks. Make your coffee, tea, and cocktails sweeter with this simple coffee shop syrup. No need to pay $7 per drink. Hope you enjoy and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
More Gluten-Free Coffee Drinks
- Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup
- Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Cold Foam
- Healthier Peppermint Mocha
- Healthier Gingerbread Latte
Related Recipes
Have you made this vanilla simple syrup? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below, and tag me on instagram @livglutenfree!
Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 vanilla bean or 1-2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to slice the vanilla bean all the way down its length. Place the sugar, water, and vanilla bean in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and whisk together.
- Once boiling, cook until the sugar is completely dissolved (2-4 minutes).
- Remove from the heat and use tongs to discard the vanilla bean if using, or stir in the vanilla extract now. Pour the syrup into a glass jar.
- Allow to cool completely then close the jar and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks.
Notes
- Vanilla bean or vanilla extract? I find that a fresh vanilla bean steeped in the syrup provides the best flavour, but vanilla extract stirred in after cooking works just as well.
- How to use the syrup: Add to hot or iced coffee, tea, or cocktails. Start with about 2 teaspoons and increase or decrease depending on your preferences. Most coffee shop drinks will have 2-4 pumps, which is equal to 2-4 tablespoons.
- Storage: Place syrup in a glass jar to cool completely. Cover with a lid and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Let us know what you think!