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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Easy Microwave Simple Syrup (only 2 minutes)

    Published: Jun 10, 2023 by Emily Toshiko · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This easy microwave simple syrup only takes 2 minutes to make! Best of all you only need two ingredients: water and sugar. You'll love adding this homemade sweetener to iced coffee, teas, cocktails and mock-tails!

    Microwaved simple syrup in a mason jar on a wooden coaster with a bowl and spoon of sugar.

    Simple syrup contains only two ingredients: equal parts water and sugar! Traditionally simple syrup is made on the stove top. Water and sugar are heated together until the sugar dissolves. You can create flavored simple syrup by adding in aromatics such as thyme simple syrup or lavender honey simple syrup!

    Microwave simple syrup is easier to make because you don't have to heat up your kitchen using the stove! This is a great hack, especially during the warmer summer months. This version is also a lot faster because you don't have to wait for the water to heat up on the stovetop.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Equipment Notes
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to make Microwave Simple Syrup (Step by Step)
    • How to Store Microwave Simple Syrup
    • Top tip
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Related Recipes
    • Cocktail Pairings
    • Easy Microwave Simple Syrup (only 2 minutes)

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • This version is quicker to make than regular simple syrup. You only need 2 minutes in the microwave!
    • Simple syrup is PERFECT for mixing into iced drinks because it won't leave granules of sugar at the bottom of your cup!
    • You can modify this recipe to use your preferences of sweetener such as honey, brown sugar, stevia or Splenda!

    Equipment Notes

    You will need a microwave and a microwave safe dish for this recipe. I recommend using a Pyrex container or pyrex measuring cup.

    You will also need measuring cups to measure out the water and sugar, as well as a fork or whisk to stir!

    Ingredient Notes

    Overhead view of a bowl of cane sugar and another bowl of water.
    • Sugar - cane sugar/white sugar is most commonly used in simple syrups but you can use your preferred sweetener of choice.
    • Water - use filtered water if available or tap water.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Sugar - instead of using white cane sugar, you can use dark or light brown sugar or coconut sugar! An example of this is my spiced brown sugar simple syrup.
    • Artificial Sweetener - swap in stevia or Splenda.
    • Liquid Sweetener - you can use honey, agave or even maple syrup in place of regular sugar.
    • Herbs - add in herbs such as thyme, basil or lavender to steep after the simple syrup comes out of the microwave.
    • Classic Flavors - after the simple syrup comes out the microwave add vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks or both to create classic flavor variations! This would be absolutely perfect to add to coffee!

    How to make Microwave Simple Syrup (Step by Step)

    A clear mixing bowl with cane sugar and water.

    Add the sugar and water into a microwave safe container. Stir together. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes.

    A clear bowl with microwave simple syrup and a fork to mix it.

    Remove from microwave. Stir to make sure all the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool and enjoy!

    Hint: let the simple syrup cool to room temperature before using in a cold drink. If the syrup is warm it will melt the ice and water down your drink.

    Simple syrup in a tall mason jar on a wooden coaster with a bowl of sugar and a spoon of sugar.

    How to Store Microwave Simple Syrup

    Store the simple syrup in an airtight container such as a mason jar. You can store it at room temperature for up to a week. If you want it to last longer, store it in the fridge for up to a month.

    These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing. I recommend storing simple syrup in the fridge.

    Top tip

    Add a splash of vodka (after microwaving) to extend the shelf life even longer! It should laster for over a month in the fridge with about a tablespoon of vodka mixed in.

    Simple syrup in a tall mason jar on a wooden coaster with a bowl of sugar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you need to boil simple syrup?

    No you do not need to boil simple syrup. You only need to heat it up enough so the sugar COMPLETELY dissolves in the water.

    Can I make a smaller amount of simple syrup?

    Yes simply half the recipe and use ¼ cup of water to ¼ cup of sugar. You will not need to heat it up as long in the microwave so make sure to keep an eye on it.

    How do you know when simply syrup is ready?

    Make sure all of the sugar has been dissolved into the water. Once it has all been dissolved and the syup has cooled to room temperate it is ready to use!

    Related Recipes

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Small mason jar on wooden coasters filled with honey lavender simple syrup.
      Honey Lavender Simple Syrup (for Cocktails)
    • Overhead view of a mason jar on a wooden coaster filled with thyme simple syrup and garnished with thyme leaves.
      Thyme Simple Syrup
    • A mason jar with brown sugar spiced simple syrup on a rustic wooden coaster with a sprig of rosemary.
      Brown Sugar Spiced Simple Syrup
    • Blueberry lemon drop martinis in martini glasses
      Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini

    Cocktail Pairings

    These are my favorite cocktails to use simple syrup in!

    • Lavender gin and tonic on two wooden coasters with Empress gin bottle in the background and purple flowers.
      Lavender Gin and Tonic (with Empress)
    • A lemon basil vodka martini in a coupe glass on a wooden coaster garnished with lemon and basil.
      The Best Lemon Basil Vodka Martini
    • close up of cranberry cocktail
      Cranberry Thyme Fizz
    • Tall glass of lavender vodka lemonade garnished with a lemon wheel on a wooden coaster with purple flowers around.
      Lavender Vodka Lemonade

    P.S. I love hearing from you! If you make this recipe please leave a star rating and comment below. To catch the latest recipes subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

    Print
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    Microwave simple syrup in a mason jar on a wooden coaster with a bowl and spoon of sugar.

    Easy Microwave Simple Syrup (only 2 minutes)

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 review
    • Author: Emily Toshiko
    • Prep Time: 0 minutes
    • Cook Time: 2 minutes
    • Total Time: 2 minutes
    • Yield: ½ cup 1x
    • Category: Drinks
    • Method: Microwave
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy microwave simple syrup only takes 2 minutes to make! Best of all you only need two ingredients: water and sugar. 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ½ cup water
    • ½ cup sugar

    Instructions

    1. Add the sugar and water to a microwave safe dish. Stir well.
    2. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir again to make sure sugar is dissolved.

    Notes

    • Let the simple syrup cool to room temperature before using so it won't melt the ice in your drinks!
    • This is perfect to use to sweeten iced or hot coffee, teas, cocktails or mock-tails!
    • To make a smaller batch, use ¼ cup of sugar and ¼ cup of water.

    Keywords: microwave simple syrup

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Em

      June 12, 2023 at 10:39 am

      Love how easy this is!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Emily! Welcome to my table! I enjoy creating easy to make recipes that inspire you to eat more veggies! While I don't claim to be vegan or vegetarian, I find that I feel my best when eating a plant forward diet. Give one of these recipe a try, I dare you!

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