Simple syrups are surprisingly easy to make and super versatile. They can be made with the sugar of your choice and cost far less than most commercial versions. This is why I shared this basic simple syrup, lavender syrup, and a coffee-flavored syrup. Now it’s time to share how to make vanilla syrup for coffee! This vanilla simple syrup infuses real vanilla bean for the best flavor and beautiful floating vanilla seeds. It’s perfect for adding to coffee, iced coffee, cocktails, milkshakes, and more. It’s also great for helping to save on that coffee shop bill. Now, you can make delicious vanilla lattes at a moment’s notice right from home!
Why Use Vanilla Simple Syrup?
If you enjoy sweetened, flavored drinks, you’ll probably already know that. While you usually won’t come across issues with hot drinks, iced ones are another story entirely. With no heat for melting, sugar sits at the bottom of the cup, all grainy and refusing to dissolve. Luckily, preparing a vanilla simple syrup means the sugar is pre-dissolved and perfect for adding to any drink/dessert! In addition, it distributes evenly and with minimal stirring.
The Ingredients
Vanilla: Use a high-quality vanilla bean for the best vanilla flavor. The type of vanilla bean you use (i.e., Tahitian vs. Madagascar Bourbon) will change the undertones of flavor. You can optionally enhance the flavor further with additional vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract.Water: I recommend using filtered water.Sugar: I used raw cane sugar. However, you can use white granulated sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, etc.
What Is The Vanilla Simple Syrup Ratio?
The ratio of sugar to water will vary based on the type of syrup you want to make.
For a vanilla simple syrup: Use a 1:1 ratio (i.e., one cup water to one cup sugar)For a vanilla rich syrup: Use a 1:2 ratio (i.e., one cup water to two cups sugar)
The latter version is thicker and has an extended shelf life. You can also reduce the amount of sugar used, but not that the shelf life will also reduce somewhat.
How to Make Vanilla Syrup (For Coffee and Desserts)?
First, use a small paring knife to slice down the middle of the vanilla bean. Scrape out the seeds into a small saucepan. Add the entire bean pod, too. Then, add the water and sugar and stir. Bring the mixture to a soft boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes. Allow the vanilla bean syrup to cool to room temperature and transfer it to a sterilized glass jar. To further infuse the syrup with flavor over time, you could also add the vanilla bean inside the jar.
How to Use Vanilla Syrup?
Aside from using this vanilla syrup for coffee drinks (and a vanilla latte), there are several other delicious uses, including:
Milkshakes or smoothies.A coconut vanilla bean crème Frappuccino and other frappes or cold brews.In lemonades.Hot tea or iced tea, or with your favorite matcha latte.Add to horchata or other warmed milk (dairy or non-dairy)Hot chocolate, flavored coffee, or tea.Mix with soda water/ to flavor soda.Cocktails.Drizzle over ice cream.Drizzle over berries and yogurt.Spoon into overnight oats and oatmeal.Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
You can also gift it to others. Pour it into a cute bottle, attach a pretty label, and package it up for Christmas, birthdays, and more!
More Syrup Recipes
Coffee SyrupLemon Simple SyrupLavender SyrupZero waste ginger syrup
If you try this homemade vanilla syrup recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
