Strawberry Simple Syrup: Only 3 Ingredients

Incredibly fragrant and versatile strawberry simple syrup made with real fruit. This syrup is 100% natural and can be used for drinks, milk teas, on pancakes, cakes and much more!

The best thing about summer is having fresh seasonal fruit, especially my all-time favourite – strawberries! Incredibly fragrant and naturally sweet, strawberries are great for desserts and refreshing drinks.

Strawberry syrup can be store-bought for convenience, but it can never compare to the real, homemade version. Made from scratch, strawberry simple syrup is much more fragrant, entirely natural, and has a delicious sweet strawberry flavor. 

And the best part about this recipe? This simple syrup recipe is so easy to make and it only needs 3 simple ingredients: fresh berries, sugar, and water.

This syrup is perfect for making Strawberry Milk Tea at home. Check out more delicious strawberry recipes made with fresh fruit: Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones, Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake, and Strawberry Cheesecake Cake.

Why this recipe is amazing

• 100% natural: all ingredients used in this fresh strawberry syrup are entirely natural, making the syrup healthier than store-bought version.
• Only 3 ingredients: you only need strawberries, sugar and water to make this delicious simple strawberry syrup recipe. 
• Delicious and fragrant: this sweet syrup is very fragrant, with a delicious smell and taste of fresh strawberry.  It also tastes far superior to store-bought syrup, which can sometimes leave an artificial aftertaste.
• Very versatile: There are countless uses for this strawberry simple syrup. You can use it in drinks, cocktails, milk tea, on pancakes, cakes, ice cream and much more.  
• Easy to make: It only takes around 20 minutes from start to finish to make this recipe.

Uses & Ideas

This recipe is great because it can be used in countless ways. Here are some of my favourites:

• Iced Tea – This strawberry simple syrup is the perfect addition with most cold teas: peach tea, green tea, Jasmine tea or fruit infusion. Just add a few teaspoons of syrup into the cold tea, then top with ice.
• Milk Tea & Bubble Tea – This syrup is the base for Strawberry Milk Tea, one of the best bubble tea flavours. You can also use it as a replacement for brown sugar syrup in all other bubble tea recipes.
• Lemonade - A great way to use this homemade strawberry syrup recipe is to sweeten your favorite drinks, like strawberry lemonade. You can also mix it up with different flavors, like this summery Raspberry Lemonade! 
• Cocktails – Use this strawberry simple syrup for your favorite beverages such as strawberry mojito, strawberry daiquiri, strawberry martini, or this deliciously fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Cocktail!
• Pancakes & Waffles – Drizzle as much syrup as your heart desires on top of pancakes, crepes, waffles or French toast. Not only is it the best sweetener, but it also adds a great strawberry flavour. Top with extra fresh strawberries!
• Cupcakes & Cakes – Soak cake layers with strawberry syrup to keep them moist and extra delicious. My recipes for  Strawberry Cheesecake Cake and Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes are the perfect example for using strawberry syrup.  
• Cheesecakes – Use this easy strawberry syrup on top of cheesecakes for an extra summery flavour. This syrup works on both baked and no-bake cheesecakes. Check out this decadent Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake and Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones that use this syrup.

Ingredient round-up

All you need for this easy recipe are 3 basic ingredients that can be found in any grocery store:

• Strawberries – I recommend using fresh, organic strawberries for the best flavour. It’s okay if some of the strawberries are a bit squashed or mushy, so don’t throw those away! You can also use frozen strawberries, but you will need to reduce the quantity of added water.
• Sugar – Plain, granulated white sugar works best for this recipe. You can also replace it with light brown sugar, although this will make the syrup look slightly browner in colour. I do not recommend using sweeteners like erythritol or xylitol for this recipe, as they will not thicken the syrup as well as sugar.
• Water – use filtered (or bottled) water for best results. Water is added to make the syrup more liquid and easier to pour.

How to make strawberry simple syrup

I guarantee that once you make this recipe, you’ll come back to it and make it again. It’s not only delicious, but also so easy to make. Here’s how:

1. Hull and chop the strawberries, then place all ingredients into a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Once the liquid starts boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until all strawberries look very soft.
4. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the strawberry flesh, then cook the liquid until it reaches the right consistency.

Success Tips & Tricks

• Fresh fruit: for best results fresh, organic strawberries are your best bet. They have oodles of flavour and fragrance. If some of the strawberries are a little mushy, go ahead and use them for this recipe.
• Adjust thickness: for drinks you want the syrup to feel like maple syrup, so simmer it for about 10 minutes. For pancakes you might want a thicker syrup, so simmer for an extra 5 minutes on low heat.
• Use a fine mesh sieve: Straining out the fruit pulp makes this homemade simple syrup extra smooth, ideal for all drinks. 
• A hint of lemon: I recommend adding some lemon peel or a little lemon juice in the syrup whilst it’s cooking. This will give it a lovely citrus zing and reduce the sweetness.
• Sweetness level: This syrup feels a little sweeter than honey, so make sure you taste test before adding a lot to your drink. I recommend using 2-3 tablespoons for a medium glass.
• Adjust water for frozen fruit: Frozen strawberries produce a lot of liquid once thawed. After thawing, separate the fruit from the liquid and ensure it’s the same amount of liquid as the recipe. Top up with water if needed.
• Keep the strawberry flesh: After preparing the strawberry syrup, don’t discard the fruit flesh. It’s delicious added in yoghurt or as cheesecake topping.  

How to store

Homemade strawberry simple syrup can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days. Ensure you let the syrup cool completely before storing it it in a clean airtight container, mason jar or bottle to avoid contamination. 

For longer term storage, keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks. After a few weeks, always smell it before consuming and discard if it smells weird.

Syrup is also great for freezing and will hold for 3-4 months in the freezer. I recommend freezing it in ice cube moulds for ease.

Frequently asked questions