Gingerbread Simple Syrup

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a liquefied form of sugar that is often used to sweeten cocktails, teas, coffees, and other cold beverages. If you’ve ever gone to a coffee shop and ordered a latte with “2 pumps of vanilla”…you just ordered a latte with vanilla simple syrup! Using a simple syrup sweetens your drinks without adding grainy sugar which creates a more enjoyable sip. A traditional simple syrup is made with equal parts sugar to water.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Syrup Recipe

Level of difficulty: Easy

Flavor: Gingerbread cookies! Think warm winter spices…

Time: From start-to-finish, it will take you approximately 10 minutes to make your gingerbread syrup. This includes prep and cooking time (not cooling time).

Why Should I Make My Own Gingerbread Syrup?

There are so many reasons to make your own simple syrups, but here the top reasons why I make my own (and you should too!):

• Making your own simple syrup is cost effective. No need to buy that expensive Monin, Torani, or Starbucks gingerbread syrup. DIY an even better gingerbread coffee syrup! The pre-made syrups often run $15+, which is expensive. Especially when you can make your own with pantry staples for so much cheaper.
• You can tailor the flavor to your exact specifications. Love a spicy gingerbread? Add more nutmeg. Really want to amp up the cinnamon and molasses flavors? Do it! When you make your own, you can tailor the flavors to your liking.
• It’s always fresh. Making small batches of flavored simple syrup ensures what you’re adding to your drinks is fresh!
• You know what’s in it. You know the 6-7 ingredients that you added. You know you didn’t put in unnecessary preservatives or miscellaneous enhancers to make your syrup shelf stable.

Ingredients for Gingerbread Simple Syrup

• Granulated Sugar and Water. These are the basic ingredients needed for a classic simple syrup, and are used in our gingerbread syrup recipe too!
• Molasses. You really can’t have a gingerbread recipe without molasses! This is a classic ingredient and flavor needed for any gingerbread flavored recipe.
• Warm holiday spices. We’re using cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg (the nutmeg is optional, but I recommend adding it for a more intense spice profile).
• Vanilla extract. Stirred in at the end of making our syrup for a more robust overall flavor profile.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Gingerbread Syrup Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Use brown sugar. Using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in gingerbread syrup is a wonderful swap. This will add even more richness and molasses flavor.
• Add additional winter spices. Nutmeg is already listed as an optional addition to this syrup. But if you love the flavor of clove and/or allspice, add ⅛ teaspoon (or as much as ¼ tsp) of each into your syrup when cooking.

How to Make Gingerbread Syrup

Cook the syrup. Place all ingredients (except the vanilla) into a small saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine. Bring contents to a slow boil (avoid a rolling boil), then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer simple syrup until molasses and sugar have dissolved (about 5-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Remove the syrup from the heat stir in the vanilla extract.

Cool the syrup. Allow the syrup to cool completely before storing.

Use gingerbread syrup to sweeten and flavor your favorite festive drinks!

How to Store Gingerbread Simple Syrup

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Be sure that you have fully cooled your syrup down before storing to help prevent bacterial growth in your container.

Gingerbread Syrup Uses

Gingerbread syrup can be enjoyed in a wide variety of recipes during the holiday season.

• It’s great for all kinds of drinks. Add it to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and cocktails for a nice pop of winter spices and sweetness. A few of my personal favorite drink recipes using gingerbread syrup include: a Gingerbread Coffee Latte, a Gingerbread Eggnog Cocktail with Rum, and a Gingerbread Old Fashioned
• Make a gingerbread whipped cream by adding it into your favorite homemade whipped cream recipe.
• Brush it onto cake for added moisture and gingerbread flavoring.
• Use it as a holiday-infused pancake or waffle topping! Try it on it’s own, mixed it with maple syrup, or combine it with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt. Try this festive and fabulous topping on a stack of Fluffy Oat Milk Pancakes or over my all-time favorite Whole Wheat Waffles!

Gingerbread Latte Syrup Expert Tips

Make sure to shake your syrup before using. This helps to redistribute the spices throughout your gingerbread syrup.

To add nutmeg or not to add nutmeg? That is the question. If what you love about gingerbread cookies and breads is that sharp spice, I recommend adding up to ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg. If you don’t want your holiday beverages to have the bold spice from nutmeg (which can be overpowering if a high quantity is used) – use a pinch or skip the nutmeg all together.