Strawberry Simple Syrup for Coffee & Drinks

Make homemade Strawberry Simple Syrup in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients and fresh strawberries. This easy syrup adds sweet, fruity flavor to iced coffee, lattes, matcha, lemonades, and more. It's the perfect way to upgrade your everyday drinks at home. No store-bought syrups needed!

This syrup stores well in the fridge and can be used in both hot and iced drinks.

If you love making flavored coffee at home, it's an easy staple to keep on hand.

It's especially delicious in iced lattes, matcha, or even added to sparkling water.

Ingredients

This strawberry syrup is made with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Fresh strawberries bring the flavor, while sugar and water create the perfect syrup base!

Organic Cane Sugar and Water: Simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, simmered until fully dissolved. I use organic cane sugar.

Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries give this homemade strawberry simple syrup its sweet flavor and beautiful color. Choose bright red and ripe strawberries for the best flavor!

Vanilla: A small splash of vanilla extract (or paste!) adds warmth and flavor. I also recommend a tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the strawberry flavor.

See recipe card for quantities.

Helpful Equipment

This syrup comes together easily with just a small saucepan, spatula, and a fine mesh strainer.

The strainer helps separate the cooked strawberries from the syrup without pressing on them, which can make the syrup cloudy. Straining gently keeps it clear and smooth.

And a glass jar or bottle works best for storing the syrup in the fridge.

How to Make This Recipe

Here's how to make homemade strawberry syrup from start to finish.

It's simple, fast, and the syrup comes out beautiful and delicious every time.

The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Quarter the strawberries and add to a medium-sized pan.

Step 2: Stir in the water, sugar, and vanilla.

Step 3: Bring the mixture to a slight boil then immediately reduce to a simmer over medium for 8-10 minutes. 

Step 4: Position a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring cup, and carefully pour the syrup through it.

This is a simple syrup so it shouldn't be thick like caramel but will thicken slightly as it cools.

Note: Avoid pressing or mashing the strawberries. Let the syrup strain naturally through the mesh to keep it clear and prevent cloudiness.

Substitutions & Variations

Berries: You can swap strawberries for raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries. For a bright, fruity twist, try our Blueberry Simple Syrup, or for a sweet, cozy flavor reminiscent of banana bread, our Banana Simple Syrup works beautifully.

Ginger: Add a few slices of fresh ginger while simmering. This is a perfect addition if you're using this syrup in a cocktail.

Lemon: A small squeeze of lemon brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.

Herbs: Fresh basil or mint pairs wonderfully with strawberries, and can add a fun twist depending on the drink.

Serving Ideas

This syrup is versatile and can be used in a variety of drinks:

• Strawberry Lattes: Make a refreshing iced or hot latte with my Strawberry Oat Milk Latte recipe.
• Cold Brew & Iced Coffee: Sweeten your favorite cold brew or iced coffee with a splash of strawberry syrup.
• Matcha & Tea: Add fruity sweetness to matcha lattes, like in my Strawberry Matcha Latte, or to iced teas.
• Sparkling Drinks: Mix with sparkling water or seltzer for a simple homemade strawberry soda.
• Cocktails & Mocktails: Use it as a sweetener for fruity cocktails, spritzers, or non-alcoholic mocktails.

Storage

Store: Let the simple syrup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freeze: This syrup can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge before using, or add it directly to a saucepan to melt it back into liquid but be sure to let it cool before adding to iced drinks.

Tips & Tricks

Use ripe strawberries: The riper the berries, the brighter and sweeter your syrup will be.

Brighten with lemon: Add a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice after straining to give the syrup an extra burst of flavor. I usually skip this for coffee, but it's a great touch if using the syrup in cocktails.

Adjust thickness: Simmer longer or stir in a cornstarch slurry to make a thicker syrup, perfect for pouring over pancakes or waffles.

Fresh vs. frozen: Fresh strawberries work best, but frozen berries are fine, just simmer a few extra minutes.

Strain gently: Avoid pressing or mashing the strawberries. Let the syrup naturally pass through the mesh to keep it clear and prevent cloudiness.

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