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Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup: With only a few ingredients, you can make delicious homemade vanilla syrup to flavor your coffee, tea, sodas, and cocktails.
MAKING FLAVORED COFFEE AT HOME: SO EASY!
Guys, I love Starbucks. I really do.
But if I’m being honest, I don’t love forking over a minimum of five bucks a visit for a latte. I mean – really, it’s just steamed milk and espresso.
I work from home, and if I’m keeping it real, that translates to yoga pants, t-shirts and Birkenstocks until at least 11 am everyday, so making coffee in my own kitchen is totally the way to go.
There are lots of flavored syrups you can buy at the store or from Amazon. But what happens if you run out and forget to buy more?
I know I do not want to be left without my iced coffee before I have to get the kids up and ready for the day. I am not about that life.
So instead I make my own vanilla syrup at home! Perfect for flavoring both hot or iced coffee and I promise that it couldn’t be easier.
If you make your own cold brew concentrate at home, you can grab your homemade vanilla syrup and have a whole coffee shop experience without getting out of your slippers.
HOW TO MAKE VANILLA SYRUP
This vanilla coffee syrup recipe couldn’t be easier to make. It only takes a few simple steps:
- Boil water, sugar and a vanilla bean for about 5 minutes
- Add in a little vanilla extract
- Let it cool, bottle it and store it in the fridge
You could even make a big batch of this homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup and gift some to any coffee lover in your life! Pour it into a pretty bottle or jar and package it up with some locally roasted coffee for a special gift.
OTHER WAYS TO USE HOMEMADE VANILLA SYRUP
This vanilla syrup is great for flavoring coffee, but it can do so much more than that!
Stir it into tea or add it to sparkling water for a homemade vanilla soda.
You could even keep a small bottle of it stocked as part of your bar cart. Add it to pineapple vodka for a delicious cocktail, or use it to add some vanilla flavor to holiday wassail.
You could even add a splash to homemade strawberry lemonade.
I know you’ll find all kinds of ways to use this vanilla syrup and it will quickly become a recipe you make over and over.
FAQS
How do I store this vanilla coffee syrup?
Store the syrup in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
How long will it last?
Here’s the thing: Vanilla coffee syrup is basically a fancy simple syrup, and simple syrups don’t really go bad if they’re kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
In the recipe card notes I tell you that it will last for at least 2 weeks out of an abundance of caution. But if you don’t touch the syrup with your hands or any dirty utensils and keep it sealed in the fridge, it should last a really long time.
Be sure to discard the syrup immediately if you notice that it doesn’t smell right or if you see anything growing on the surface or the sides of the bottle/jar.
What if I don’t have a vanilla bean?
If you don’t have any vanilla beans handy, you can still make this vanilla coffee syrup. Simply omit the bean and use 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste in its place, adding it at the same time as the vanilla extract.
Homemade Vanilla Coffee Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 vanilla bean split in half
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together water, sugar, and vanilla bean.
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
- Simmer for about five minutes – the sugar should be completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Once simple syrup has cooled, remove the vanilla bean and pour the syrup into a glass jar or bottle.
- Store in refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love my Nespresso pixie machine and the pods, but just ordered a couple of packs from HiLine to see how they compare. Thanks for the new coffee source – I hope I like them! I would love to see more giveaways like the Nespresso machine! Would love one for my office!!
Thanks for visiting Becky!
-Jamie
I don’t know what I did when I worked, because being home all day leaves me not enough time to get everything done. It is crazy! Love this homemade syrup, so much better than buying it!
Thanks for visiting Erin!
-Jamie
I work for a direct sale company. In one training video they said to set up the vacation reply on your email. Thank people for writing and let them know you will respond. Better than leaving them wondering or writing a million times :)
That is two whole cups of sugar in there.. yikes!
Elicia-
You can adjust the amount of sugar to whatever measurement you want, just make sure to adjust the water ratio as well. You can read more about different types of simple syrups and their ratios here: http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/03/cocktail-101-how-to-make-simple-syrup-technique-rich-syrup-recipe.html
-Jamie
In order to make a syrup, a form of candy, you have to have a certain ratio of sugar to water. For coffee you are only using a tablespoon of the whole mixture. People freak out at the ingredients but don’t consider the serving size :)
Recently spent $12 on an 8 oz bottle of vanilla coffee syrup… it wasn’t bad but this recipe is robust with flavor, so easy to make and inexpensive!! I am thrilled to indulge in a beautiful cup of coffee with my vanilla syrup!!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the syrup, Pam! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
What do you think SYRUP is? Geez…
I keep homemade vanilla syrup in my fridge too. My son loves it to make Italian sodas or to sweeten ice tea. It’s so simple, there is never any reason to buy vanilla syrup at the store! And this website http://www.indrivanilla.com/ is a great source for inexpensive vanilla beans. While you at it make your own vanilla too! I LOVE my Nespresso machine as well. It makes authentic espresso from those little pods!
Love this!! I am def trying this soon!!
Thanks for stopping by, Julie!
The recipe calls for a vanilla bean split in half. The instructions say to add vanilla extract. I am confused. I have never used a vanilla bean. How much vaniilla extract do you use if you don’t use a split vanilla bean. Should the recipe say add the split vanilla bean? I want to make this recipe. It should be a good one. I love the jar you show for the syrup. Where do I get some of them? Great gifts for neighbors this Christmas!!!
Marlene-
As indicated in the ingredient list, this recipe calls for both a vanilla bean and vanilla extract. If you do not have a vanilla bean, simply add in 1 more teaspoon of extract or more to taste. I hope this helps.
-Jamie
This is a great syrup recipe. It’s always a great idea to keep a few syrups in the refrigerator to liven up your morning beverages (or evening cocktails)!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Meagan!
I love this recipe! This is soo easy, too. I am like you and totally think it’s ridiculous the amount of money we fork over for fancy coffee and especially when it’s so easy to make it at home.
Tiffany-
So very true!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Jamie
Out of curiosity, if someone doesn’t have a vanilla bean handy, would just using more vanilla extract work?
Carolyn-
If you do not have a vanilla bean, simply add in 1 more teaspoon of extract or more to taste. I hope this helps.
-Jamie