Recipe Overview
Ready to elevate your everyday drinks from bland to brilliant? This homemade cinnamon syrup recipe is your secret weapon. In just a few minutes, you can craft a warm, aromatic sweetener that transforms your morning coffee, evening cocktails, and weekend pancakes. Forget overpriced store-bought syrups with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Our simple, step-by-step guide will help you create the most delicious cinnamon simple syrup recipe you’ve ever tasted.
Whether you’re trying to replicate the famous Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup recipe or whip up a cozy brown sugar cinnamon syrup recipe for your lattes, this is the only guide you’ll need. It’s incredibly versatile, wonderfully fragrant, and ridiculously easy to make. Let’s get started!
Cinnamon Syrup Recipe (for Coffee, Cocktails, and More!)
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add 4 whole cinnamon sticks to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cinnamon sticks steep in the covered pot for at least 1 hour for best flavor.
- Once cooled, remove the cinnamon sticks. Stir in the optional vanilla extract. Transfer your syrup into a clean, airtight bottle or jar and refrigerate.
Notes
Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy & Quick: With just 3 basic ingredients and less than 10 minutes of active cooking time, this recipe is perfect for even the busiest individuals.
- Endlessly Versatile: This isn’t just a cinnamon syrup recipe for coffee. Use it to level up cocktails, tea, hot chocolate, oatmeal, or drizzle it over pancakes and waffles.
- Better Than Store-Bought: You control the ingredients. Say goodbye to artificial flavors and preservatives, and hello to pure, authentic cinnamon spice.
- Completely Customizable: Prefer a richer flavor? We’ll show you how. Don’t have cinnamon sticks? No problem. This recipe is designed to be flexible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe for cinnamon simple syrup lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples.
- Water: The liquid base of our syrup. Use filtered water for the cleanest taste.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar creates a clean, versatile syrup that lets the cinnamon shine.
- Cinnamon Sticks: The star of the show! Cinnamon sticks infuse the syrup with a warm, spicy flavor without making it cloudy.
Ingredient Notes & Key Variations
This is where you can truly make the recipe your own. Here are some popular substitutions and additions:
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup: For a richer, deeper flavor with notes of caramel and molasses, substitute half or all of the granulated sugar with packed brown sugar. This is the key to a fantastic homemade brown sugar cinnamon syrup recipe.
- Using Ground Cinnamon: If you don’t have cinnamon sticks, you can use ground cinnamon. It works in a pinch, but be aware it will result in a cloudier, more rustic-looking syrup. Use about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for every 2 cinnamon sticks. For a clearer result, strain the syrup through a coffee filter or fine-mesh cheesecloth. This is a great option for the cinnamon syrup recipe with ground cinnamon.
- Add a Splash of Vanilla: Add ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract after the syrup has cooled to introduce a lovely, warm undertone that perfectly complements the cinnamon.
How to Make the Perfect Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Follow these simple steps for a flawless batch of cinnamon syrup every time.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar.
- Dissolve the Sugar: Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved. Do not let it come to a rapid boil at this stage.
- Infuse with Cinnamon: Add 4 whole cinnamon sticks to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Gently: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more flavor it will absorb.
- Steep for Flavor: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cinnamon sticks steep in the covered pot for at least 1 hour. For a more intense cinnamon kick, you can let it steep for up to 4 hours.
- Cool and Strain: Once cooled, remove the cinnamon sticks. If you used ground cinnamon, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve. If using, stir in the vanilla extract now.
- Store: Transfer your delicious homemade syrup into a clean, airtight bottle or jar.
Expert Tips for Success
- For a Stronger Flavor: Don’t rush the steeping process! This is where the magic happens. The longer the cinnamon sticks sit in the warm syrup, the more flavor they will release.
- How to Store Your Syrup: Always store your homemade cinnamon syrup in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator. A glass bottle or mason jar works perfectly.
- How Long Does Homemade Syrup Last? When stored properly in the fridge, your cinnamon syrup will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 weeks.
- Make a ‘Rich’ Syrup: For a thicker, sweeter syrup (great for cocktails), use a 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. For example, 1.5 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water.
Ways to Use Your Homemade Cinnamon Syrup
Now for the fun part! Here are some of our favorite ways to use this liquid gold.
The Perfect Cinnamon Syrup for Coffee
Transform your daily coffee into a café-worthy treat. This cinnamon syrup for coffee recipe is a game-changer. Add a splash to your morning latte, cold brew, or iced coffee for a touch of warmth and sweetness. To create your own cinnamon dolce latte, simply add this syrup to a shot of espresso and top with frothed milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
A Must-Have for Mixologists: Cinnamon Syrup for Cocktails
This cinnamon syrup recipe for cocktails adds a sophisticated, spicy twist to your favorite spirits. It pairs beautifully with whiskey, bourbon, rum, and brandy. Try it in an Old Fashioned, a spiced Whiskey Sour, or create your own signature autumn-themed cocktail.
Beyond the Drinks
Don’t limit yourself to beverages! Drizzle this syrup over:
- Pancakes or waffles
- A bowl of oatmeal or yogurt
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh apple slices
Related Recipes To Try
- Cozy Cinnamon Tea Recipe
- Spicy Ginger Syrup
- Golden Turmeric Coffee
- Morning Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
- Refreshing Green Juice for Weight Loss
- Powerful Ginger Shot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this a brown sugar cinnamon syrup?
Absolutely! For a richer, more caramel-like flavor, simply swap the white granulated sugar for an equal amount of packed brown sugar. The brown sugar cinnamon coffee syrup recipe is a fan favorite!
How is this different from a Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup?
Our recipe is a fantastic copycat! The Starbucks version is essentially a brown sugar cinnamon syrup with specific flavor notes. To get even closer to the cinnamon dolce syrup starbucks recipe, use half brown sugar and half white sugar, and be sure to add a splash of vanilla extract.
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of sticks?
Yes, you can follow the cinnamon simple syrup recipe with ground cinnamon. Use about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. However, for the best texture and a clear syrup, we highly recommend straining it through a coffee filter or a few layers of cheesecloth to remove the sediment.
How do I make a sugar-free cinnamon syrup?
You can make a sugar free cinnamon syrup recipe by using a 1:1 sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. Please note that the consistency might be slightly thinner and the shelf life may be shorter.
What’s the best way to store homemade syrup?
Store your syrup in an airtight container, like a glass bottle or jar, in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 weeks. Always give it a little shake before using.
Share Your Creations!
There’s nothing better than a sip of something you’ve created yourself. This cinnamon syrup recipe is a small way to bring a little joy and warmth into your day. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Did you try this recipe? We’d love to see it! Share your photos and tag us on Instagram at @finger_licking_recipes or save it for later on Pinterest at @finger_licking_recipes. What will you be adding your cinnamon syrup to first?
