Homemade Maple Simple Syrup Recipe

Last Updated on September 5, 2025 by Nico

This homemade maple simple syrup recipe is easy to make and uses only two ingredients. It tastes great in coffee, cocktails, hot chocolate, or on top of breakfast pastries or pancakes for a sweet, nutty flavor.

Maple simple syrup is so easy to make and helps to take drinks and home baking to the next level. Unlike simple syrup store-bought options, which are usually made with white sugar and water, this version uses maple syrup. This changes the flavour of the simple syrup to be a bit nuttier and to have a flavour closer to caramel. It’s one of my favourite simple syrups to make in the autumn and winter (it’s a good one for winter cocktails!). 

What is maple simple syrup

A traditional simple syrup is a mix of equal parts sugar and water that is simmered on the stovetop until the sugar dissolves. This homemade simple syrup recipe swaps the granulated sugar for pure maple syrup. It’s somewhere between pancake syrup and classic sugar syrup!

Why make it

Flavour: Maple syrup has a nice nutty flavor with a bit of caramel and vanilla in it as well. 

No additives: You control the ingredients, and the final product doesn’t contain artificial colors or additives. It also avoids using processed white sugar to make a simple syrup.

Cheaper: Simple syrups made with less processed ingredients, like maple syrup, are usually sold at a premium in fancy grocery stores! Making your own is the cheaper way to go.

Control: You can choose your level of sweetness and use equal parts sweetener and water or adjust the recipe to taste.

Maple simple syrup recipe

What you need

Ingredients

1 cup maple syrup (pure maple syrup, not imitation maple flavoring)

1 cup water

Supplies

Small saucepan

Whisk or fork

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine one part maple syrup with one part water (this is your basic simple syrup ratio).

Warm over medium heat or medium-high heat, stirring until everything is combined. Avoid boiling the mixture.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the liquid cool to room temperature.

Pour into a clean mason jar, glass jar, or other glass airtight container and add a lid.

That’s it! So easy!

How long will it last

Once cooled, store your syrup in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 3-4 weeks. If you notice leftover syrup crystallising or separating, simply rewarm gently over medium heat until smooth.

You can also freezing portions of it in an ice cube tray to make it easier to grab only what you need!

Ways to use it

Coffee & cold brew: Add a spoonful to your morning coffee or cold brew

Hot drinks: Stir into hot chocolate, tea, or cup of chai

Cocktails: You can use it as a base in holiday cocktails

Cooking & baking: Add it over waffles, pancakes, or breakfast pastries

Savory: Add a spoonful to marinades, roasted vegetables, or glazes (this is super yummy!)

Variation ideas

While the basic recipe is just maple syrup and water, you can also jazz it up a bit. Here are some ideas. 

Vanilla bean: You can add a splash of homemade vanilla extract into the pan after you turn the heat off. Use a whisk to mix it in and let the mixture cool before bottling it.

Cinnamon: You can add 1-2 cinnamon sticks to the pan while the maple syrup and water combine. Use a mesh strainer to strain it off before bottling it. 

Cayenne: You can add a pinch of ground cayenne into the pan and use a whisk to combine it into the maple syrup and water. 

Fresh herbs: You can add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a more fragrant syrup. Use a mesh strainer to remove the herbs before bottling the syrup.

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