What is the ratio for simple syrup?

Classic simple syrup is 1:1, one part sugar to one part water. Rich simple syrup is 2:1.

How long does homemade simple syrup last?

About 1 month in the fridge in a clean, sealed container. Rich (2:1) syrup lasts about 3 months.

Do you have to boil simple syrup?

No. Heat it just until the sugar dissolves. Boiling evaporates water, which makes the syrup sweeter than intended.

How much syrup does 1 cup of sugar make?

1 cup of sugar plus 1 cup of water makes about 1½ cups of simple syrup, because the dissolved sugar takes up less room than the dry crystals.

Can I use simple syrup instead of sugar?

Yes, in drinks. Roughly 1½ tablespoons of 1:1 syrup matches the sweetness of 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Classic syrup

Classic Simple Syrup

Name: Classic Simple Syrup
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 6 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 1 cup (240 ml) water

Equal parts sugar and water. Five minutes. The one every bar runs on.

6 min total
Makes 1½ cups360 ml
Keeps 1 month

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Quick answer

Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, heated just until the sugar dissolves. Stir 1 cup sugar into 1 cup water over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, cool, bottle, and refrigerate for up to a month.

This is the base everything else on this site is built from. Two ingredients, one pan, and you never have to fight undissolved sugar in a cold drink again.

You don't need to boil it. You only need the sugar to disappear. Boiling just evaporates water and makes the syrup sweeter and less predictable.

Tastescleanneutral sweetness

Use it inOld Fashioned Mojito Daiquiri Iced coffee Lemonade Sweet tea

The recipe

Classic Simple Syrup

OriginalRich simple syrup (2:1)Demerara syrupCold-process

Active 6 min · Makes 1½ cups360 ml · Keeps 1 month

Ingredients

for 1× batch

Ratio 1:1

1 cup200 g granulated sugar 200 g1 cup
1 cup240 ml water 8 fl oz1 cup filtered if your tap water tastes off

You’ll need

Our recommendations for this syrup. Each link opens on amazon.com.

You’ll need: swing-top bottle, kitchen scale, mini funnel, jigger, small saucepan

This version

Rich simple syrup (2:1). Double the sugar for a thicker syrup that keeps about three times as long and adds less water to drinks.

This version

Demerara syrup. Swap in demerara sugar for toffee notes that suit whiskey and rum.

This version

Cold-process. Shake sugar and room-temperature water in a jar until clear, about 2–3 minutes. Cleanest flavor.

Method

Combine

Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan.

1 cup200 g granulated sugar1 cup240 ml water
Dissolve

Warm over medium heat, stirring, until the liquid turns completely clear and you can't see any crystals, about 3 to 5 minutes. Don't let it boil.
Cool

Take it off the heat and let it cool to room temperature. It thickens slightly as it cools.
Bottle

Funnel into a clean glass bottle or jar, label it with today's date, and refrigerate.

Storage. Keep it sealed in the fridge for up to 1 month. Cloudiness, floating specks or a sour smell mean it's time for a new batch. Want it to last longer? Make rich 2:1 syrup, which keeps about 3 months.

Per 1 tbsp (15 ml): about 32 kcal, 8.3 g sugar (estimate).

Drink it