The soft, sweet smell of vanilla has been around for a long time. Whether you’re crafting the perfect latte or enhancing the flavor of your favorite dessert, you need a homemade vanilla syrup recipe in your kitchen. If you make your own instead of buying something like Vanilla Syrup Starbucks, you can control how sweet it is, change the tastes, and even try sugar-free choices.

I have a deep affection for this recipe because I enjoy creating sauces and syrups at home. It only takes 15 minutes to make, and you probably already have all the fixings at home. Put it on eggs, mix it into morning coffee, or glaze a cake. Like seasonal flavors? Try this syrup with my Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe or my Caramel Sauce Recipe for a variety of options.
Overview Homemade Vanilla Syrup Recipe
Vanilla syrup is a liquid sweetener that tastes like real vanilla. You can use it to enhance the flavor of drinks, baked goods, and treats. This syrup isn’t as thick as vanilla bean paste or extract, so it mixes easily in coffee, tea, and drinks. The uniqueness of this vanilla syrup recipe lies in its versatility. It works wonderfully for making a coffee, a cake glaze, or even sugar-free versions of your favorite foods.
Why I Love This Vanilla Syrup Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in 15 minutes with just a few ingredients, it’s perfect for beginners.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness levels or go sugar-free for a healthier alternative.
- Better Than Store-Bought: Homemade means no artificial flavors, just pure vanilla goodness.
- Versatile: Perfect for coffee, tea, cocktails, or as a drizzle over desserts.
- Budget-Friendly: A fraction of the cost of Starbucks’ vanilla syrup, and you can make it anytime!
Steps To make This Sweet anilla Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- Sugar (1 cup): The base of the syrup, providing sweetness. Use white sugar for a classic taste, or swap with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like erythritol for a healthier option.
- Water (1 cup): Essential for dissolving the sugar and creating a syrupy consistency.
- Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Adds the signature vanilla flavor. For a more robust taste, use vanilla bean paste or scrape the seeds from a vanilla pod.
- Optional: Pinch of Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavor.
Directions
🍦 Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Place the pan over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a clear syrup.
🍦 Infuse with Vanilla: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the vanilla flavor to infuse fully.
🍦 Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid. Keep refrigerated for up to one month.
🍦 Customize the Flavor: For a twist, add a splash of caramel extract or cinnamon for a unique variation. Adjust the sweetness by using less sugar or substituting with sugar-free alternatives.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 5mg | Total Carbohydrates: 15g | Dietary Fiber: 0g | Sugars: 15g | Protein: 0g
Expert Tips
- Don’t Boil: Keep the heat low to medium to prevent crystallization. Stir gently to ensure smooth consistency.
- Use Real Vanilla: For the best flavor, opt for pure vanilla extract or vanilla beans instead of imitation vanilla.
- Make It Sugar-Free: Swap sugar with erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener for a healthier option.
- Double the Recipe: If you love vanilla syrup for coffee or baking, double the batch and store it in the fridge.
- Experiment with Flavors: Add a cinnamon stick or a splash of almond extract during the simmering process for a unique twist.
Storage
Put your homemade vanilla sauce in a glass jar or bottle that won’t let air in. It will last up to a month in the fridge. When the syrup is cold, it gets a little thicker, but it’s simple to make it liquid again by warming it up first. Keep the food fresh by tightly covering the package.
Creative Ways to Use Vanilla Syrup

- Vanilla Coffee or Latte: Stir a spoonful into your morning coffee or latte for a sweet, aromatic kick.
- Dessert Glaze: Use it as a glaze for pound cake, muffins, or cupcakes for added moisture and flavor.
- Cocktail Sweetener: Replace simple syrup in cocktails with this vanilla version for a unique twist.
- Drizzle Over Pancakes: Pair it with your favorite pancake recipe for a sweet and flavorful breakfast.
- Homemade Soda: Mix with sparkling water and a splash of lemon juice for a refreshing vanilla soda.
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FAQs
1. Can I make this sugar-free?
Yes, substitute sugar with erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener for a sugar-free version.
2. How long does homemade vanilla syrup last?
When stored in the fridge in a sealed container, it lasts up to one month.
3. Can I use vanilla bean instead of extract?
Absolutely! Scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean and simmer them in the syrup for a more intense flavor.
4. What’s a substitute for vanilla syrup in coffee?
Honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar work as natural alternatives to sweeten your coffee.
5. Can I use this syrup for baking?
Yes! It’s perfect for glazing cakes or adding sweetness and vanilla flavor to batters.

Vanilla Syrup recipe Card
Ingredients
- Sugar 1 cup: The base of the syrup, providing sweetness. Use white sugar for a classic taste, or swap with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like erythritol for a healthier option.
- Water 1 cup: Essential for dissolving the sugar and creating a syrupy consistency.
- Vanilla Extract 2 tsp: Adds the signature vanilla flavor. For a more robust taste, use vanilla bean paste or scrape the seeds from a vanilla pod.
- Optional: Pinch of Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavor.
Instructions
- 🍦 Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Place the pan over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a clear syrup.
- 🍦 Infuse with Vanilla: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the vanilla flavor to infuse fully.
- 🍦 Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid. Keep refrigerated for up to one month.
- 🍦 Customize the Flavor: For a twist, add a splash of caramel extract or cinnamon for a unique variation. Adjust the sweetness by using less sugar or substituting with sugar-free alternatives.
Notes
- Don’t Boil: Keep the heat low to medium to prevent crystallization. Stir gently to ensure smooth consistency.
- Use Real Vanilla: For the best flavor, opt for pure vanilla extract or vanilla beans instead of imitation vanilla.
- Make It Sugar-Free: Swap sugar with erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweetener for a healthier option.
- Double the Recipe: If you love vanilla syrup for coffee or baking, double the batch and store it in the fridge.
- Experiment with Flavors: Add a cinnamon stick or a splash of almond extract during the simmering process for a unique twist.
- Storage: To store your homemade vanilla syrup, transfer it to an airtight glass jar or bottle. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to one month. The syrup will thicken slightly when chilled, but it can be easily re-liquefied by warming it up before use. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to preserve freshness.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 60 | Total Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 5mg | Total Carbohydrates: 15g | Dietary Fiber: 0g | Sugars: 15g | Protein: 0g
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