Coffee Syrup

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/4/22
Tested by
Tracy Wilk
Photo of Tracy Wilk
Tested by Tracy Wilk
Tracy Wilk is a professional pastry chef, recipe developer and chef instructor, and, most importantly, a firm believer in sprinkles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Coffee syrup in a small glass bottle with a screwtop lid

The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 1 cup
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
49 Calories
0g Fat
12g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 49
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 8mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Flavored syrups are a popular addition to coffee drinks, but what about adding coffee syrup to beverages and desserts? This two-ingredient coffee syrup recipe can be used as a flavoring in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, be drizzled over cakes, or poured over ice cream. It uses the normal proportions of a ​simple syrup, which is one part sugar to one part water or other liquid. Be sure to use extra-strength coffee to maximize the amount of coffee flavor that comes through.

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Click Play to See This Simple At-Home Coffee Syrup Come Together

"If you are a coffee lover, this recipe will allow you to add coffee flavor to many different items in your kitchen. This would be a great addition to a coffee-flavored layer cake, or you could add it to vanilla ice cream for a coffee-flavored treat." —Tracy Wilk

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 1 cup extra-strength brewed coffee

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for coffee syrup recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and extra-strength coffee. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.

    Sugar being poured into coffee in a pot

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

  3. Lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring often.

    Steaming coffee and sugar mixture being stirred with a spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

  4. Transfer the coffee syrup to a container and let it cool to room temperature.

    Coffee syrup being poured into a glass bottle

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

  5. Seal and store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Use in your favorite food and drink recipes, and enjoy.

    Coffee syrup in a glass bottle

    The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

Tips

  • For the best flavor, make the syrup with the strongest coffee you can brew. One option is to cold-brew 3/4 cup coarsely ground coffee in 1 cup of cold water; at this concentrated ratio, it should only need to steep for a few hours before straining out the coffee.
  • A stove-top espresso pot and French press make concentrated coffee as well, and they're much quicker methods. You can always add more beans and use less water in your favorite brewer.
  • If you'd like a thicker syrup, simmer for 15 minutes, or until the mixture has reduced by half or reached your desired consistency. Make sure to stir frequently, and lower the heat if the syrup is beginning to bubble vigorously.

How to Use

This coffee syrup is quite versatile; it can be used to flavor beverages and add a hint of coffee to desserts, breakfast treats, and ice cream. Pour a little into a milkshake, an iced hot chocolate, even a simple glass of milk for a flavor boost. Coffee syrup is also a wonderful ingredient in cocktails, like a coffee old-fashioned bourbon or chocolate coffee martini. In addition to drizzling over cake, cheesecake, pie, and ice cream, the coffee syrup can be served alongside breakfast dishes such as French toast, pancakes, and waffles.