Mint Simple Syrup
Mint Simple Syrup is the perfect sweet addition for drinks and more throughout the entire year. All you need are three ingredients — including one very important fresh one — and a little time to make this mint syrup for cocktails, mocktails, desserts, breakfasts and more.
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The easiest Mint Simple Syrup recipe
Simple syrup can be infused with all kinds of flavors. This mint syrup uses fresh mint leaves, which to give gorgeous color and flavor!
Add this mint syrup recipe to cold drinks easily. I love it because you don’t have to worry about the sugar dissolving into a cold drink. (Lookin’ at you, iced coffee.)
I love flavored syrups, but I do not always love some ingredients brands add to their infused syrups.
Homemade simple syrup has always been my jam because I know what goes into it. All you need are simple ingredients, and once infused, they shine.
Why I love this recipe:
Who doesn’t love a minty sweetener for drinks? From Mint Juleps to Homemade Lemonade, this mint simple syrup is something special.
This minty sugar water is a summertime classic, but fear not: it’s something you can enjoy year round. (Real talk: I bet a splash of this would be amazing in hot cocoa.)
It’s the perfect way to add fresh mint flavor to almost anything.
Here are some things to adore about this mint syrup recipe:
- It’s incredibly easy to make and only requires three ingredients.
- There are so many uses for it! Pour it into craft cocktails, mocktails, your morning cold brew or even unsweetened iced tea. Drizzle it on pancakes or waffles. Serve it alongside buttery biscuits for a sweet dipper or even drizzle it on ice cream.
- It can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for awhile, so you can enjoy it whenever it sounds like a good idea! (Spoiler alert: it’s always a good idea.)
Recipes to try with this simple syrup: Summer Fruit Salad | Blueberry Mint Juleps | Cold Brew with Homemade Vanilla Mint Creamer
Need drink inspiration? Head on over to my Drink Recipe Index for some ideas of what to mix at home next.
What you need to make this recipe:
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Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you’ll need to get from the grocery store (or your pantry and yard):
- Fresh mint — you’re going to need a lot of mint leaves. It needs to be fresh… though you can use wilty leaves. There are many varieties of mint plants. You can use fresh peppermint, spearmint or even chocolate mint. Peppermint has a stronger flavor (and is what I used) while spearmint offers a milder, less intense flavor.
- Granulated sugar — also known as white sugar, this is going to give sweetness to our simple syrup. The type of sugar matters here because I do not recommend substituting it. The color would be murkier with a dark brown sugar.
- Water — regular water from the tap is totally fine! Filtered water also works.
How to make Mint Simple Syrup
Combine water and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan. Swirl them together or stir with a wooden spoon.
Place the saucepan on the stovetop, and heat the ingredients over high heat. (You can also do this over medium heat, though I like high heat because it’s a little faster.)
Heat the simple syrup just until the sugar dissolves in the water — and this will be before it comes to a boil, so keep an eye on it. This should only take 5 minutes tops.
When the sugar has completely dissolved into the water, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Add the whole mint leaves to the hot simple syrup. I do not recommend using chopped mint because it could cause a bitter flavor.
Let the ingredients infuse for about 30 minutes. Give it a taste at the 20-minute mark to see how it tastes. If you want it to have a hint of mint, this is probably good for you. If you really want the mint flavor to sing, let it sit for a bit longer.
When the simple syrup has finished infusing and has come to room temperature, strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove the mint leaves and bigger parts of the greens. This will make for a clear syrup. Pour into its storage container. Refrigerate.
How to store mint syrup:
Once the finished syrup has been strained, transfer it to a mason jar, an airtight container or a fun glass jar, like these glass jars.* (affiliate link)
Keep it in the refrigerator for up to a month.
You can also freeze it. If you want to make a big batch of this during the summer months when your mint plant is producing, follow this tutorial about how to freeze simple syrup for the rest of the year.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
If you’re planning on hosting friends or having a happy hour, I highly suggest making some homemade syrups to accompany your drinks!
This is also great for an at-home brunch with friends (use it in mimosas for a sweet splash!) or for cocktail hour at a dinner party.
Here are a few tips and tricks to make it as easy as possible:
- Make a batch of mint simple syrup 1-2 days in advance. Let it hang out in the fridge.
- Double or triple the recipe. This will depend on the number of guests, you might need to double or triple the recipe. I always err on the side of too much since this recipe keeps well in the fridge.
- Serve your drinks with fresh mint sprigs for beautiful scent and presentation.
- Before friends arrive, get out the ingredients for your drinks. Decide whether you’ll mix the drinks yourself or let your friends play bartender! Either way is fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You want the sugar to dissolve into the water, and that should happen before the mixture comes to a boil.
It should last for up to a month in the refrigerator. I do not recommend storing the simple syrup at room temperature because it will not last this long.
I have never tried this and do not recommend it at this time. Use fresh mint leaves for the best, brightest flavor.
Quick tips and tricks to making mint simple syrup
- Give it time to infuse! This will provide the excellent minty flavor, as well as the gorgeous light green color.
- How to store: Store in a jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least a month.
Other variations on simple syrup:
Your simple syrup ratio will remain the same at equal parts to sugar. In fact, you’ll make simple syrup in the saucepan and then add in these additional flavors to infuse.
Here are some of our favorites:
- This plain simple syrup recipe is the classic for a reason!
- Add cinnamon sticks, and let them infuse for 1-3 hours to create cinnamon simple syrup. This is spectacular in fall drinks, like Gin Apple Pie Cocktail and Apple Cider Moscow Mule!
- Add a vanilla bean to make the most wonderfully scented and flavored Vanilla Simple Syrup.
- Throw in some fresh (or frozen!) cherries to infuse and make Cherry Syrup.
- Use honey instead of sugar to make Honey Simple Syrup!
Keep in mind that when you infuse simple syrup with flavors, the stronger the flavors will be the longer you steep them.
Also — everyone’s tastebuds are different!
If you’re concerned that your infused simple syrup might become too strong (or not be strong enough), do a taste test after 15-20 minutes. This will give you an idea of how the flavors are coming together. You can let them continue to do their thing or remove the infusion ingredient because you’re done!
Recipes to use this mint syrup with:
Now here’s how you make this recipe…
Mint Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup mint leaves .5 oz
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Instructions
- Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, swirling or stirring as the syrup ingredients heat up, until the sugar has completely dissolved. This should take 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Add the whole mint leaves.
- Let the flavors infuse for 20-30 minutes. Give it a taste at the 20-minute mark to see how it tastes for you. If you want a stronger mint flavor, let it steep for longer.
- When done infusing, strain through a fine mesh strainer.
- Store the cooled simple syrup in a mason jar for up to a month in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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