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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.
Just did thus recipe and added a cinnamon stick! Smells heavenly! Can’t wait for it to cool and to try it!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kayla! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Looks like a great recipe! The recipe doesn’t say to scrape the vanilla bean before placing it in the saucepan. Do you just throw the bean in or scrape it and then throw it in the saucepan?
Finally! Thank you for a non-chocolate recipe. I rarely eat/drink chocolate. I realize I’m in the minority, but I still appreciate good things.
When a friend of mine fell on hard times, she sadly told me she would have to give up her vanilla syrup. I reminded her that it’s just simple syrup with vanilla. She made it every Sunday…and still does.
Change it up by changing the extract. I use raspberry syrup in margaritas & chocolate (extract) syrup all the time.
This is my favourite coffee syrup ! thanks for sharing. I’ve tried a few others and they never turned out as well as this one!
So happy to hear you enjoy the syrup, Lynz! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
I wanted to make a London Fog tea and this created the vanilla syrup I was needing. Thank you!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the syrup, Kim! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
or you can make London Fog…. Earl Grey tea, frothed milk and vanilla syrup…mmmm :)
I just made this – two vanilla beans and three cinnamon sticks. Totally skipped the vanilla extract – I didn’t like the flavor in my last batch. This is crazy delish with the cinnamon!!
Oooh I love this idea! I’ll definitely be giving it a try. Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Jamie
Am I crazy for keeping this in the fridge for three months and using it? Tasted smelled and looked fine.
Simple syrups tend to last quite a while, so as long as it smells ok, it should be fine! Happy baking.
Jamie
Are you able to make a larger batch and process for long-term storage? Maybe a day of canning with coffee flavoring…?!
Hello! I haven’t attempted storing this recipe long-term, so I am not sure of the result. If you happen to give it a try, I’d love to know how they turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie