Simple syrups are just that: simple. It is astonishingly easy to whip up a batch of plain syrup to flavor your coffee with, and it is very cheap. There are several different add-ons to simple syrup to take this sweetener to the next level, and what’s great about them is that you can tweak the strength of the spices to your liking! Here are some of my favorite simple syrup recipes:

Plain Simple Syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup water

Mix sugar into water in a pot on the stove. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar is totally dissolved. Let cool, store in a airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Vanilla Simple Syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

optional: 1 vanilla bean

Same as before, bring water and sugar to a boil, stir until dissolved. If using a vanilla bean, drop in and let steep for at least an hour. Stir in vanilla extract, remove vanilla bean, and voila!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Simple Syrup

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

3-4 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Bring brown sugar and water to a boil, and stir until sugar is totally dissolved. Turn heat down, add cinnamon sticks, let sit for five minutes. Turn heat off, let steep for one to three hours. Remove cinnamon sticks, add in vanilla, store in airtight jar in the fridge.

Cinnamon Simple Syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup water

3-4 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Like before, combine sugar and water on the stove and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then lower heat to a simmer and add in the cinnamon sticks. Let simmer for about 5 minutes. REmove the pot from heat and let the mixture sit and steep for one to five hours. Remove cinnamon sticks, add in vanilla, and store in airtight jar in the refrigerator.

Toasted Coconut Simple Syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 cup toasted shredded coconut (if it’s not toasted, toast in the oven at 350F until golden brown)

Bring water and sugar with coconut shreds to boil until sugar dissolved. Let sit for up to an hour. Strain out coconut.

As you can see by now, the process is quite repetitive and simple. Add a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar, boil, add in flavorings. This can be done with orange or other citrus zests for a citrusy syrup, almond extract for an almond syrup, peppermint extract, and the list goes on.