Using a real vanilla bean to make this homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup gives you a warm, sweet vanilla flavor that beats store-bought versions every time. Try this in your favorite coffee or cocktail!
After spending far too much money buying iced vanilla lattes at Starbucks, I decided to make my own version at home. First, I tried a popular vanilla syrup brand from the supermarket. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great either. Knowing how much flavor a real vanilla bean adds from my training as a pastry chef, I decided to make my own syrup. So. Much. Better. Like a lot.
In fact, I had a couple of friends over while I was finishing my vanilla syrup testing. When it was ready, I made them both do a blind taste test of the store-bought syrup compared with my vanilla syrup. Mine won hands down. There’s just no comparison between real vanilla and too-sweet, too-artificial fake vanilla syrup.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Vanilla Syrup Recipe
- What is Vanilla Simple Syrup?
- Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Vanilla Syrup Recipe Variations
- How to Store Vanilla Syrup
- Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup Recipe FAQs
- How to Use Homemade Vanilla Syrup
- 👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Other Syrup and Drink Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- More About Molly
Why You'll Love This Vanilla Syrup Recipe
- So easy: just three ingredients and a few minutes of simmering
- Deep, complex flavor: So much better than the chemical-tasting commercial syrups
- Great in your favorite latte or cold brew, but also delicious in an espresso martini
What is Vanilla Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a (usually) 1:1 mixture of sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. A vanilla simple syrup has vanilla flavor infused into the syrup, using vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or a vanilla bean (as in this recipe). You can then use vanilla simple syrup in a variety of ways, starting with pouring it into your morning coffee. Other ideas below!
Vanilla Simple Syrup Recipe Ingredients
- Vanilla Bean: Madagascar beans are rich and creamy, while Tahitian beans are more delicate and floral—use whatever vanilla beans you prefer. And yes, they are expensive, but it’s worth paying to get high-quality beans.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is all you need for this recipe.
How to Make Vanilla Simple Syrup
Slit a vanilla bean down the middle on one long side, then use a paring knife to unfold the bean and scrape out the seeds. Set aside.
Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
When sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean seeds and the scraped-out pod.
Use a spatula to press down on any clumps of vanilla bean seeds so that they separate.
Let cool completely, then remove the pod. Pour into a jar.
Vanilla Syrup Recipe Variations
Want to add more flavor into your vanilla syrup? Try substituting honey or maple syrup for the sugar to make Honey Vanilla Syrup or Maple Vanilla Syrup. You can also add in herbs that complement vanilla, such as dried lavender. Try stirring in orange zest or grating in fresh nutmeg.
How to Store Vanilla Syrup
Store syrup in a small mason jar, swing-top bottle, or similar airtight container. Syrup will last for up to 3-4 weeks stored in the refrigerator.
Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup Recipe FAQs
Yes, but you get a much deeper vanilla flavor by using the bean. Use 1 to 1½ teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, and stir it in after you remove the syrup from the heat. Taste the syrup after it cools and add more vanilla extract if you like.
Absolutely—just keep the same 1:1 ratio of sugar to water and use two vanilla beans.
Yes. Despite the high sugar content, simple syrups are best kept in the refrigerator. It will last there for 3–4 weeks.
How to Use Homemade Vanilla Syrup
My favorite thing to make with this syrup is a vanilla bean latte—either hot or iced. I usually keep a pot of cold brew in my refrigerator as well during the summer. Some cold brew + some oat milk + a tablespoon of this syrup is divine! Better than your favorite coffee shop (talking to you, Starbucks!).
But, this has more uses beyond coffee. You can brush it onto cake layers to add more flavor and moisture to a cake. You can also use it for cocktails like an Espresso Martini, a White Russian, or a Brandy Alexander.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
A good alternative to a vanilla bean is to use vanilla bean paste instead. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste to the syrup after you have taken it off the heat. Trader Joe’s now makes a vanilla bean paste (find it next to the vanilla extract), and you also purchase high-end Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste on Amazon.
Note that the vanilla bean seeds will often float to the bottom of the jar once it has been sitting for a while. Just stir or shake the jar before using.
Want to repurpose that empty vanilla bean pod? Rinse and dry it, then put it in a jar with sugar in it to make vanilla sugar.
And, if you have extra vanilla beans, note that they can dry out quickly—try storing in an airtight jar in a dark room. Or use them to make my Vanilla Pastry Cream or my Crème Brûlée!
Other Syrup and Drink Recipes
Want to get even more creative in the kitchen by making your own cold and warm drinks? Try some syrups and fun drinks that are even better homemade!
If you try this Vanilla Simple Syrup recipe, I would love to hear from you! Please rate this recipe and leave a comment below—your feedback is invaluable to me.
And please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter. I’d love to inspire you with more delicious, healthy, and seasonal recipes!
📖 Recipe
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How to Make Vanilla Syrup
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
- Slit vanilla bean down the middle on one long side, then use a paring knife to unfold the bean and scrape out the seeds. Set aside.
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
- When sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla bean seeds and the scraped-out pod.
- Use a spatula to press down on any clumps of vanilla bean seeds so that they separate.
- Let cool completely, then remove the pod.
- Store syrup in a small mason jar, swing-top bottle, or similar airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Instagram Users: Now that you've made this simple vanilla syrup recipe, tag me @vanillabeancuisine or #vanillabeancuisine because I’d love to see your results!
More About Molly
Cooking healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I spent over 10 years as a personal chef. Here you'll find well-tested recipes that you and your family will love!
Amanda says
Tired of the artificial tasting coffee syrup. Have recently been playing with homemade coffee flavorings and they taste 10,000 times better, more fresh. I sub out sugar for a 1:1 blend of monk fruit and golden monk fruit and it’s almost identical to real sugar. This recipe came out great! Beautiful consistency, and depth of flavor. Thank you so much for sharing!
Molly Pisula says
Thanks so much for commenting! I am glad to hear about the sugar substitution. Will have to try that!