This Strawberry Simple Syrup is fruity, flavorful, and super easy to make! Use it to elevate desserts, mix into your favorite beverages, or pour over fresh fruit and ice cream to add a fresh strawberry flavor.
If you thought making a homemade simple syrup was complicated, think again. This easy strawberry simple syrup recipe only has a few ingredients and comes together in a matter of minutes. It's a great addition to bring fresh strawberry flavor to cakes, desserts, and even homemade drinks.
This easy recipe is made from completely natural, basic ingredients, avoiding all of the preservatives and expenses of store-bought syrups. All it takes is some water, strawberries (fresh or frozen), and sugar to make the best homemade strawberry syrup. Take your cakes, desserts, and drinks to the next level with this effortless addition!
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What is Strawberry Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a thin, watery, sweet syrup that is often used for soaking cake layers and desserts, keeping them moist and adding a deliciously fresh flavor. My plain Simple syrup is typically made with equal parts water and sugar. This strawberry simple syrup is a variation of that recipe and takes it up a notch by adding some sweet strawberry flavor!
It uses real, fresh strawberries infused into the syrup, and has no artificial flavors or preservatives. It's especially useful for things like sponge cakes, which can often be a little dry. I love using it on my Fraisier Cake and Berry Chantilly Cake to keep the cakes moist while adding an extra boost of fresh berry flavor.
Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Syrup
This simple strawberry syrup recipe has just a few simple ingredients.
- Strawberries - The star of the show! Use ripe, fragrant berries for the strongest strawberry flavor. You can use fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries in this recipe - I like to use frozen strawberries if it's not the peak of strawberry season, as they tend to be of higher quality.
- Sugar - Granulated white sugar or superfine sugar will both work. You want a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water for a balanced sweetness and pourable consistency.
- Lemon Juice - This will help keep everything fresh and add a nice tart tang to your fruit syrup. It also helps to preserve it longer in the fridge and keeps the nice red color from browning.
The quantities in the recipe card are a good guide, but they are flexible as long as you are using equal parts sugar and water - i.e., one cup of water to one cup of sugar. The amount of strawberries is also not important, as they are just in there to infuse their lovely flavor, not to become a part of the final product.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Fine mesh sieve
- Wooden spoon or spatula
How To Make Strawberry Simple Syrup
Making your own strawberry syrup takes just a few simple steps - you'll never want to buy it at the grocery store again!
Add the Ingredients
Add the sugar and water, lemon juice, and strawberries to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir once at the beginning, then leave it be to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.
Simmer
Let it simmer gently until the sugar dissolves and the liquid turns from cloudy to clear. There's no need to mash the strawberries down - let them soak in the syrup and release their sweet strawberry flavor.
Once the liquid turns clear, remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature with the berries steeping in the syrup.
Strain
Pour the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the strawberries and any fruit pulp. Pour your delicious strawberry syrup into a mason jar or an airtight container and store in the fridge until you use it.
Tip:
Don't throw away the leftover strawberries, they are super sweet and delicious. Put them over yogurt or ice cream for an easy strawberry dessert!
How To Use Strawberry Simple Syrup
Strawberry simple syrup is the perfect addition to any sweet treat. Here are some ideas on the best way to use this easy, simple syrup recipe to add the sweet taste of strawberries to any dessert:
Cakes - Fresh strawberry syrup is a great way to add moisture and flavor to cakes and other strawberry recipes, such as my Fraisier Cake. Soak the sponges in it to give them a beautiful strawberry flavor that runs through the entire dessert.
Drinks - Try adding a splash of strawberry syrup to some of your favorite drinks for a tasty fruity twist, such as:
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Mojito
- Strawberry Iced Tea
Ice Cubes - Instead of adding your strawberry simple syrup straight to your drinks, store it in an ice cube tray as an excellent way to add color and flavor to regular drinks.
Fresh Berries - Use the syrup to soak fresh berries before serving with ice cream or French toast - it will take the taste to another level!
Pancake Syrup - Use my tips to make a thicker strawberry syrup to pour over pancakes and waffles.
Variations on Simple Syrup
There are a few fabulous ways you can alter this strawberry simple syrup to try something new or make it suit your own personal preferences:
- Different Berries - Choose your favorite fruit to replace the strawberries and make whatever type of fruit syrup you fancy. I make a raspberry simple syrup to soak my Berry Chantilly Cake and it's so delicious!
- Strawberry Pancake Syrup - Simple syrup is a thin, watery consistency, so it can soak into cakes. If you'd like to create a thicker syrup that you can pour over pancakes, add half the amount of water and simmer for longer to reduce it until it reaches the consistency you'd like.
How to Store Strawberry Syrup
Store your strawberry simple syrup in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or glass bottle, in the fridge. It will be good like this for up to 2 weeks.
You can also freeze it by putting it in a freezer-safe container (like a Ziploc bag) and freeze it for up to 6 months.
FAQs for Strawberry Simple Syrup
If you have a question about this recipe that isn't answered here, feel free to write it in the comment section and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Yes, simple syrup will have a watery consistency compared to coulis or store-bought syrups, making it perfect for soaking into cakes. If you'd like your syrup to be a bit thicker, add half the amount of water and keep it simmering for longer, to reduce it to the consistency you'd like.
Yes! A this strawberry simple syrup uses fresh fruit, it must be refrigerated.
Use a 1:1 sugar to water ratio for strawberry syrup - i.e., one cup of water to one cup of sugar. The amount of strawberries is also not important, as they are just in there to incorporate a delicious flavor, not to become a part of the final product.
More Strawberry Desserts
Looking for desserts to use your delicious strawberry simple syrup with? Try these:
Recipe
Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar 200g
- 1 cup Water 237g or 237ml
- 1 cup Strawberries fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
Equipment
- Strainer
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.1 cup (200 g) Granulated Sugar, 1 cup (237 ml) Water, 1 cup Strawberries, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Keep simmering until the sugar has totally dissolved, the liquid will look clear instead of cloudy.
- Remove from the heat and strain with a fine mesh sieve to remove the strawberries and any pieces of pulp.
- Pour into an airtight container like a mason jar and let cool.
Chris Radwanski
I would drink this stuff if we had more. So tasty!
Jules
There's some in the fridge.. have at her!