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Brown sugar simple syrup is a quick and easy 2 ingredient syrup that has endless uses in cocktails, mocktails, coffee, and tea.
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Like classic simple syrup, brown sugar syrup is a home bar staple that’s always in my refrigerator. It’s super quick and easy to make using either your stove top or microwave.
A simple syrup recipe is based on equal parts water and sugar. Regular simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Changing the sweetener while keeping the ratio the same gives you an easy variation, like this brown sugar syrup.
Brown sugar is not the same as demerara sugar or raw sugar. It contains molasses, giving it deep caramel flavor that you can’t find in other syrups. The difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar is the amount of molasses it contains. You can use either option when making syrup.
I love pairing brown sugar with bourbon drinks (try it in an Old Fashioned cocktail instead of sugar), or using it to sweeten my iced tea and other cold beverages.
What's in Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Brown Sugar - Choose light or dark brown sugar.
- Water
Make Brown Sugar Syrup on the Stove
In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of brown sugar.
Stir until all of the brown sugar dissolves.
Allow to cool to room temperature.
Pour into a glass, airtight bottle and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Make Brown Sugar Syrup in the Microwave
Measure 1 cup of water into a microwave safe mug or glass measuring cup.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until the water is close to boiling.
Place 1 cup of brown sugar in a mason jar.
Carefully pour hot water into the mason jar with the sugar.
Stir until all sugar crystals have dissolved and the syrup no longer looks cloudy.
Cool to room temperature.
Put a lid on the mason jar and store your syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Recipe Tips
- Always store your simple syrup in the refrigerator.
- Brown sugar simple syrup will keep for up to 3 weeks.
- If the syrup begins to look cloudy or you see anything floating in it, discard it immediately.
- Store your brown sugar syrup in a glass container with a lid. Plastic can give off the flavors of past dishes stored in it. Since the syrup is going to hanging out in its container for a while, make sure it’s in glass. Mason jars work great for this if you don't have a glass bottle or glass jar on hand.
Variations
- Make Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup by adding in 1-2 cinnamon sticks as soon as the sugar has dissolved (while the syrup is still hot). Let the cinnamon float in the syrup while everything comes to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick(s) before storing the syrup in the refrigerator.
- Make Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup by stirring in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract along with the brown sugar when making your syrup.
How to use Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
Brown sugar syrup is delicious as a liquid sweetener for cold drinks like iced coffee or iced tea. It's a perfect addition to your morning coffee, giving it a sweet, caramel-like flavor.
It’s also a delicious and unique ingredient in some of my favorite drinks. Try it in this Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail, a Chocolate Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail, sweet Sugar Cookie Martini or my Coffee Old Fashioned bourbon cocktail. Or make a batch of brown sugar syrup for my non-alcoholic Apple Cider Punch.
Looking for More Simple Syrup Recipes?
Homemade syrup is an easy way to add coffee shop flavor to your favorite drink! Try Pumpkin Spice Syrup in your coffee, homemade mint syrup in your hot chocolate, or add lemon juice to lemon simple syrup for a quick lemonade. Check out these delicious simple syrup recipes:
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Brown Sugar Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of brown sugar.
- Stir until all of the brown sugar dissolves.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Pour into a glass, airtight bottle. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Brown Sugar Syrup will keep up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
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