This Strawberry Syrup is an easy way to add fresh strawberry flavor to your favorite drinks. Made with just strawberries, sugar, and water, it’s perfect for cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, mocktails, and even homemade strawberry milk.

Strawberry simple syrup in a measuring glass.

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A Note from Kim

Meet Your New Fridge Staple

I love keeping a jar of this homemade strawberry syrup in the refrigerator during strawberry season because it makes everything from lemonade and iced tea to cocktails and sparkling water taste even better. It’s also a delicious topping for ice cream and pancakes!

Making strawberry simple syrup at home is surprisingly easy and so much better than buying it at the store. Fresh strawberries give it bright, natural flavor, and you can skip the artificial colors and ingredients found in many bottled syrups. Once you try it, you’ll be looking for excuses to add it to all your favorite drinks.

With love (and lots of good eats), - Kim

This strawberry syrup turned out amazing! It was so easy to make, and the fresh strawberry flavor is incredible. We’ve already used it on pancakes, ice cream, and stirred it into sparkling water. I can’t wait to make another batch!

— Melissa

Ingredients for Strawberry Syrup

Just 3 simple ingredients and you’re well on your way to sweet, flavorful strawberry simple syrup! Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

You can find the volume amounts in the printable recipe below.

  • Strawberries. You’ll love how this recipe tastes with fresh strawberries! However, you can use frozen strawberries, too.
  • Water. This, along with the juice from the strawberries will make for a pourable, easy-to-stir consistency.
  • Granulated sugar. It provides sweetness and the base for a syrupy texture.

Flavor Variations

  • Make it citrusy. Add the zest of a lemon, lime, or orange while the syrup simmers for a bright citrus flavor.
  • Add fresh herbs. Simmer the strawberries with a few sprigs of fresh mint, basil, or rosemary, then strain before storing.
  • Vanilla. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract after removing the syrup from the heat for a warm, bakery-style flavor.
  • Try mixed berries. Replace some or all of the strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry simple syrup.
  • Add spice. Simmer the syrup with a cinnamon stick or a few slices of fresh ginger for extra warmth and depth.

How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup

This recipe could not be easier! Here’s the simple process:

Strawberries, water and sugar in a pot.
Strawberries simmering in a pot.
Straining strawberries over a glass measuring cup.
Strawberry simple syrup in a measuring glass.
  1. Simmer. Add the strawberries, water and sugar to a medium pot or saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and continue to simmer over low heat for about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Cool. Remove the from heat and allow it to cool some before attempting to strain it.
  3. Strain. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to separate the syrup from the berries. Discard the extra berries (or serve them over ice cream – YUM!) and bottle up the simple syrup.

Kim’s Recipe Tips

  • Wash strawberries well. Rinse strawberries under cool running water before using to remove dirt and debris. For extra cleaning, soak them in cold water with a splash of vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse well.
  • Use ripe strawberries. The sweeter your strawberries, the better your syrup will taste. Peak-season berries give the best flavor and color.
  • Mash the berries. Gently mash the strawberries with the back of a spoon as they cook to release more juice and flavor.
  • Strainer. You can grab a fine mesh sieve from just about any store! Check Target as well as Amazon for some great options!
  • Adjust the sweetness. If your strawberries are especially sweet, you can reduce the sugar slightly. If they’re tart, add a little more to taste.
  • Quantity of syrup. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of simple syrup total. If you need more, you can easily repeat the instructions or double the recipe. I use about 3-4 tablespoons when making most drinks. For example, when making strawberry milk, I stir 3-4 tablespoons into about 8 ounces of milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is strawberry syrup the same as strawberry sauce?

Strawberry syrup is thinner and smoother, making it perfect for sweetening drinks like lemonade, cocktails, iced tea, and iced coffee. Strawberry sauce is much thicker and usually contains pieces of fruit, so it’s better for topping pancakes, waffles, cheesecake, ice cream, and other desserts.

How can I make this syrup thicker?

You can make a thicker syrup by only using 2 tablespoons of water and reducing the sugar to 3/4 cup. Follow the same instructions but only simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work just as well, making this recipe easy to enjoy year-round. For the best flavor and quickest cooking, thaw the strawberries first and add any juices to the pot. The finished syrup will be just as fresh and delicious as if you made it with fresh berries.

How can I use the strained strawberry pulp?

The strained strawberries are too good to waste! Spoon them over yogurt, mix them into overnight oats, spread them on toast, or enjoy them in a peanut butter sandwich as a quick homemade jam. You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for a couple of weeks.

Ways to Use Strawberry Syrup

  • Cocktails & mocktails: Stir it into margaritas, mojitos, sangria, or mocktails for fresh strawberry flavor.
  • Lemonade: Add a splash to homemade or store-bought lemonade for an easy strawberry lemonade.
  • Iced Tea: Sweeten black, green, or herbal iced tea with a drizzle of strawberry syrup.
  • Strawberry milk: Mix it into cold milk for a homemade version that’s a family favorite.
  • Sparkling water: Combine with club soda or sparkling water for a refreshing homemade strawberry soda.
  • Coffee & lattes: Add a spoonful to iced coffee, cold brew, or lattes for a fruity twist.
  • Pancakes & waffles: Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, crepes, or French toast instead of maple syrup.
  • Yogurt & oatmeal: Stir it into yogurt, overnight oats, or warm oatmeal for extra sweetness.
  • Ice cream: Spoon it over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or angel food cake.
  • Italian sodas: Mix with sparkling water and a splash of cream for a delicious homemade Italian soda.

How to Store and Freeze Strawberry Syrup

  • In the refrigerator. Once completely cool, store simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for about 2 weeks.
  • In the freezer: For longer storage, pour it into a large zip-top baggie or other freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to about 6 months.
  • To thaw. Place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also place the frozen sealed container of simple syrup in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.
Pouring strawberry syrup into milk to make strawberry milk.

More Favorite Strawberry Recipes

Slice of strawberry poke cake on a white plate.

Strawberry Poke Cake
Strawberry milkshakes with a crushed graham cracker rim and whipped cream.

Strawberry Milkshake
Spinach Strawberry Salad served with baked chicken and poppy seed dressing

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Strawberry muffins drizzled with glaze.

Strawberry Muffins

If you try this strawberry simple syrup recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if you love it as much as I do, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, subscribe to our mailing list to receive more delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Strawberry simple syrup in a measuring glass.
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Strawberry Syrup

Yield: 6 (1/4 cup) servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
This Strawberry Syrup is an easy way to add fresh strawberry flavor to your favorite drinks. Made with just strawberries, sugar, and water, it's perfect for cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, mocktails, and even homemade strawberry milk.
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh washed & quartered strawberries (frozen strawberries work too)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

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Instructions 

  • Place 1 pound fresh washed & quartered strawberries (frozen strawberries work too), 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar in a medium to large pot on the stovetop. Stir to mix and bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, turn heat down to low and allow to simmer until the sugar has dissolved and berries are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Then, let the mixture cool some. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass or heat-proof container, making sure to squeeze any excess juice from the strawberries. Discard the extra berries (or serve them over ice cream!).
  • Let cool completely and then store in the fridge for up to about 2 weeks.

Notes

You can use this syrup over ice cream or pancakes or use it to make cocktails, mocktails, strawberry milk or pink lemonade!
To freeze: Once completely cooled to room temperature, pour simple syrup into a large zip-top baggie and store it in the freezer for up to about 6 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also place the frozen sealed container of simple syrup in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.
photos by molly at yes to yolks
Author: Kim
Course: condiment, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 153kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 116mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 37g, Vitamin A: 9IU, Vitamin C: 44mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

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