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!
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
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Cocktail Pairings
- Did you try this recipe?
- 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 or tasty cocktails 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
- 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)
Add the sugar and water into a microwave safe container. Stir together. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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!
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Cocktail Pairings
These are my favorite cocktails to use simple syrup in!
Easy Microwave Simple Syrup (only 2 minutes)
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Add the sugar and water to a microwave safe dish. Stir well.
- 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.
HH says
Simple and effective recipe, thanks!
Emily Toshiko says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Em says
Love how easy this is!