Brown sugar syrup is the secret ingredient behind Starbucks’ famous iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso. But buying drinks out adds up! You don’t need to spend $6 a cup to enjoy a brown sugar coffee. With just two ingredients, you can create this rich, sweet brown sugar simple syrup in under 10 minutes.

You can use homemade brown sugar syrup in so many ways. Stir it into lattes, drizzle it over pancakes, or even use it in cocktails. Once you have a jar in your fridge, you’ll feel like a barista pro!

Here’s how to make homemade brown sugar syrup at home!

What is Brown Sugar Syrup?

Brown sugar syrup is a simple, two-ingredient syrup made by simmering brown sugar with water. It’s basically the brown sugar version of the classic simple syrup.

But unlike plain simple syrup, this syrup has that classic molasses flavor (a little maple, a little smoky) that gives lattes, cold brew, or even cocktails a nice flavor!

Fun fact: Did you know that brown sugar is actually just white sugar mixed with molasses? That’s where its flavor and darker color come from. If you don’t have brown sugar on hand but you have molasses and sugar, you can make your own brown sugar.

There are 2 types of brown sugar: light and dark. Light brown sugar has a mild caramel flavor, while dark brown sugar has a stronger, almost toffee-like taste. Around the world, brown sugar comes in many forms: kokuto, jaggery, piloncilo, etc.

But no matter what you call it, brown sugar syrup is easy to make with whichever brown sugar you have available.

Why Make Syrup at Home?

Making coffee syrup at home should be the default! Not only is it fresher and tastier than anything you’ll buy in a bottle, but you also get to control the sweetness (bye-bye sickly sweet syrups).

Most store-bought coffee syrups come with preservatives, artificial flavorings, and/or stabilizers, which are necessary for mass production. But it doesn’t feel good knowing you’re ingesting that in your coffee. Homemade syrup is just sugar and water. Simple, clean, and delicious!

It’s also incredibly cheap. A 25-oz bottle of flavored brown sugar syrup for coffee usually costs around $10–$12. For the same quantity, a homemade syrup will only cost you $2-3 (I did the math) for an entire batch (plus labor). You’re saving money and getting a better-tasting syrup in the process.

Plus, it only takes five minutes to make. Once you try it, you’ll never buy bottled syrup again.

Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe: Ingredients You’ll Need

You really only need:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water

That’s it! Simple syrup is also so easy to scale because the measurements are always in a 1:1 ratio. So, one cup of brown sugar to one cup of water, two cups of sugar to 2 cups of water, etc.

Tip: If a 1:1 ratio is too sweet, you can also halve the amount of brown sugar you use, but you’ll end up with a less viscous syrup.

How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup (Step-by-Step)

1. Add brown sugar and water to a medium-sized pot.
2. Heat the syrup until the sugar dissolves completely, and the water should turn a dark brown color.
3. Simmer the syrup for 5 minutes on medium to high heat until it reduces to a thicker consistency. Keep an eye on it, the water evaporates quicker than you think.
4. Once the syrup is done, let it cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight bottle or jar.
5. Let the syrup cool completely before storing it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
6. Enjoy your syrup!

How to Store Syrup

Once you’ve made your brown simple syrup, you’ll want to store it properly so it stays fresh as long as possible. The best way is to keep it in an airtight jar or bottle. This minimizes exposure to air, which can cause the syrup to spoil faster.

Brown sugar simple syrup will stay fresh for about 2–3 weeks in the fridge. You can technically leave it out at room temperature for a few days, but because it’s just sugar and water, it’s safer (and lasts longer) when chilled.

Food Science Break: Sugar is actually a great preservative in high quantities because it dehydrates microorganisms thanks to osmosis! Which is why high sugar syrups last long on the counter or in the fridge.

How do you know if it’s gone bad? If you notice cloudiness, mold, or a funky smell, it’s time to toss it and make a fresh batch. Luckily, since it only takes a few minutes to make, starting over isn’t a big deal.

Pro tip: If you use your syrup daily, storing it in a glass pump bottle makes it super convenient for making drinks.

Tips for the Best Brown Sugar Syrup

• Use boiled water. This is my favorite hack! There’s no point in waiting for your water to boil when you can boil it in a kettle and dissolve your sugar instantly. Start with hot water, and your syrup will be done in just a few minutes.
• Store in a pump bottle. If you use syrup often, transfer it to a bottle with a pump. You’ll be able to easily and cleanly add the perfect amount to your drinks.
• Make it in the microwave. Don’t want to wash extra dishes? You can make a small batch of brown sugar syrup right in the microwave. Just combine water and sugar in a heat-safe bowl, heat in short intervals, and stir until smooth.
• Stir until fully dissolved. Even if the sugar looks dissolved, give it an extra stir to get rid of any sugar crystals.
• Try different types of brown sugar. Light brown sugar will give a more subtle flavor, while dark brown sugar makes it stronger.
• Add flavor boosters. Toss in a cinnamon stick, a splash of vanilla extract, or even a pinch of salt to bring out the sweetness.
• Label and date your jar. Syrup lasts a couple of weeks, but labeling helps you remember when you made it, so you don’t have to worry about whether it’s still good.

Brown Sugar Syrup Variations

You can easily experiment with this syrup to match your taste (or dietary needs). Here are a few variations to try:

• Vanilla Brown Sugar Syrup
  Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or a split vanilla bean if you’re feeling fancy) once the syrup has cooled slightly. This will take it to the next level!
• Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup
  Toss in a cinnamon stick while the syrup is simmering, then remove it before storing. You’ll end up with a cozy, spiced version that’s amazing for fall drinks or chai lattes.
• Salted Brown Sugar Syrup
  Stir in a tiny pinch of sea salt at the end. The salt balances the sweetness and highlights the caramel notes (we love a sweet and salty flavor combination).
• Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Syrup
  Replace the brown sugar with a brown sugar substitute (like Swerve Brown or Lakanto Golden). Keep in mind that the texture might be slightly thinner, but the flavor is spot-on.

How to Use Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown sugar syrup is one of those kitchen staples that can sneak into just about anything. It’s not just for coffee, though I think that’s the best use. Here are some of the best ways to use it:

• Brown sugar matcha latte
• Brown sugar shaken espresso
• Tiger milk (with brown sugar boba): This syrup is the secret ingredient to making that iconic “tiger stripe” look.
• Brown sugar bourbon cocktail
• Brown sugar cold foam
• Whipped coffee with brown sugar
• Drizzle on pancakes or oatmeal
• Soak cakes: Perfect for cake flavors that benefit from a richer flavor, like chai, chocolate, caramel, etc.
• Make granola

Frequently Asked Questions: Brown Simple Syrup

Can I make brown sugar?

Yes! You can make brown sugar syrup easily at home with just brown sugar and water. You’ll want to use 1 tbsp of molasses per cup of sugar for light brown sugar, and 2 tbsp of molasses for dark brown.

How long does brown sugar syrup last?

If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, brown sugar syrup usually lasts 2–3 weeks. However, always check for changes in smell, color, or texture to make sure it’s still good before using it.

How to store syrup?

Store it in an airtight jar or bottle to minimize exposure to air. For the longest shelf life, keep it refrigerated. It can be kept at room temperature for short-term use, but best in the fridge.

Can I make a sugar-free version?

Of course! You can substitute brown sugar with sugar alternatives like monk fruit, erythritol, or other sugar-free sweeteners. The flavor will be slightly different and the texture may vary, but it works just as well.

What is brown sugar syrup made of?

Brown sugar syrup is made from just brown sugar and water. When you cook it, you evaporate some of the water away to get a viscous liquid, aka syrup. It’s a really easy and foolproof thing to make!

What is in Starbucks’ brown sugar syrup?

Starbucks uses its own brand of syrup, and their brown sugar syrup specifically is made from invert syrup, brown sugar, water, natural flavor, salt, and a preservative called potassium sorbate.

How does brown sugar syrup taste?

It has a toffee and caramel flavor with a hint of bitterness. It’s like a smoky sweetness that pairs nicely with coffee, matcha, tea, and more!

Syrups to Try Next

Once you make homemade syrup, you’ll be a pro and can have so much fun experimenting with other flavors! Here are a few syrups to try next:

• Classic simple syrup
• Fresh peach syrup
• Homemade blueberry syrup
• Lavender simple syrup
• Chocolate simple syrup
• Strawberry syrup
• Gingerbread simple syrup