Get ready to savor the sweet taste of summer with this mouthwatering recipe for homemade strawberry simple syrup! With seasonal strawberries at their peak, it's the perfect time to whip up this delightful concoction that only requires 3 basic ingredients. Bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to make, this vibrant syrup will elevate drinks and desserts to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits, so I was excited to make this amazing and easy recipe. Making your own strawberry syrup is easier than you think. So, if you’re a fan of sweet, fruity drinks especially ones that have an all natural flavor, then this deliciously versatile strawberry simple syrup is the perfect for you you. It’s a great addition to any cocktail or mocktail, adding a burst of fresh strawberry flavor and sweetness.
And to ensure you have some of this delicious strawberry syrup on hand when strawberry season is past, make extra and freeze it. It will keep for up to 3 months.
If you're reading this recipe because you love strawberries try my recipes for Strawberry Curd and Strawberry Sauce.
And if you like the idea of making your own fruit syrups check out my recipe for Lemon Simple Syrup.
What is Strawberry Simple Syrup
A simple syrup recipe is usually made with equal parts water and granulated sugar. Strawberry simple syrup is the same, except we’re using fresh strawberries in addition to sugar and water. In addition, we’re letting the berries steep for a few minutes to draw out as much flavor and color as possible.
The final strawberry syrup has a bright floral and strawberry flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
What You’ll Need for Strawberry Syrup
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this easy strawberry simple syrup:
- Fresh Strawberries: Since this recipe is all about the strawberries use fresh local strawberries. I prefer fresh in-season strawberries because they have the best flavor. Frozen strawberries, which are usually picked and frozen at the peak of flavor will also work for this recipe if you can't get great tasting fresh strawberries.
- Granulated Sugar: Make sure to use granulated sugar and not powdered sugar.
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup
Step 1: Clean the container for the strawberry simple syrup by washing it with soap and hot water, and thoroughly rinsing it. Next pour boiling water into the container twice to ensure it is thoroughly clean.
Step 2: Wash the strawberries, then cut off the green top. The step of cutting off the green leaves is called hulling.
Step 3: Cut the strawberries in half if smaller than 1-inch or quarters if larger and place them in saucepan with the sugar and water.
Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat making sure the sugar dissolves and then immediately reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
Step 5: Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it up with a lid and let it steep for 15 minutes to draw out the most flavor from the strawberries.
Step 6: Pour the warm strawberry syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium-sized bowl. Let the mixture drain for about 10 minutes. Do not press the strawberries, we don't want any fruit solids in the syrup.
Step 7: Cool the syrup to room temperature and then store in the refrigerator in a clean airtight container
Can You Make Simple Syrup with Other Fruits
Yes, you can make simple syrup with a variety of fruits. Lemon and lime are the most common flavors. But try other summer fruits like raspberry and blueberry. Fruit syrups are fun and easy to make and add delicious flavor to different treats.
How to Store Strawberry Simple Syrup
Store the strawberry syrup in an airtight container. Use a funnel to pour it into a mason jar or a bottle that has a lid. Store the lime simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Because it has fruit juice in it, it can’t sit at room temperature like plain simple syrup.
How to Use the Simple Syrup
- Use strawberry simple syrup for cocktails or add club soda for delicious homemade strawberry soda.
- Combine it with fresh lemon juice for strawberry lemonade
- Use to flavor and sweeten iced tea or hot tea.
- Use it to brush cake layers with a silicone brush to add strawberry flavor to the cake and to help keep the cake layers moist
- Drizzle it over pound cake or Bundt cake
- Increase the amount of sugar (see recipe notes) and use it as a syrup on french toast and pancakes
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- When selecting the strawberries use strawberries that have a bright red flavor, taste good, and are red all the way through.
- Don’t use strawberries that are moldy or have large brown spots. The mold is not good for you and the brown spots have a bitter taste.
- Leave the strawberries in large pieces so you are able to extract the color and flavor with out a lot of pulp.
Recipe - Frequently Asked Questions
To make the syrup thicker return the strained liquid to the saucepan and simmer on medium low until it is reduced by one-third. .
Plain simple syrup made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water will last up to one month. Simple syrup made with a 2:1 ratio will last up to 6 months. Fruit simple syrup usually lasts 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Yes, the strawberry simple syrup needs to be refrigerated as soon as it is cooled
If you make fruity and delicious strawberry simple syrup please leave a rating and a comment below.
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Homemade Strawberry Simple Syrup (made with Fresh Strawberries)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227 grams) fresh strawberries
- 1 cup (240 ml) distilled or filtered water
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Instructions
- This recipe makes 1-3/4 cups of strawberry simple syrup
- Place a 2 or 4-cup measuring cup with a fine mesh strainer next to the stove.
- Wash the strawberries. Cut off the green stem or the top of the strawberries. This step is called hulling. Cut the strawberries in half. If the strawberries are small leave them whole
- Place the strawberries, water, and sugar in a 3 or 4-quart saucepan. Stir together until the sugar starts to dissolve. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes remove the saucepan from the heat, and let them steep for 15 minutes. (Simmering and then steeping the strawberries will further break down the strawberries and draw out more color and flavor.)
- Strain the strawberries through a fine mesh strainer into a medium-sized bowl, separating the strawberries from the liquid. Do not press against the strawberries. You do not want the strawberry pulp in the strawberry syrup. Let the strawberries drain for 15 minutes. The syrup should be dark red and look clear
- Let the strawberry cool to room temperature. Pour the syrup into a clean glass jar or a container that has a lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The syrup can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How to Use the Strawberry Simple Syrup
- This syrup is great for drinks and cocktails. For homemade strawberry soda mix 4 ounces of syrup with 4-6 ounces of club soda.
How to Make Strawberry Ice Cubes
- Refrigerate the strawberry syrup overnight. Pour the syrup into an ice cube tray and freeze. Add the strawberry ice cubes to your favorite drinks or cocktails.
Babs says
This is sooooo tasty and so easy to make. We've been eating it over vanilla ice cream but I want to try some of your other suggestions. I also can't wait to check out some of your other recipes. Thank you!
Cheryl Norris says
Hi Babs
Thank you so much for trying this recipe and writing a review. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and plan to check out other recipes 😁
Sami Maxwell says
I was skeptical on the colour because my strawberries weren't red right through, but am happy to say that the colour is gorgeous! And, I added a little complexity to the syrup by adding about half a cup of fruity rose wine. I'm so excited to serve this over berries and mango with a dollop of cream - a perfect end to a summer patio meal. Thank you. 💗
Cheryl Norris says
Hi Sami
Thank you for trying this recipe. I'm so glad you liked it. The addition of the fruity rose wine is a brilliant idea.