What’s sweet and buttery and rich and basically the most amazing thing you can imagine making at home for your coffee?! That’s right, homemade caramel syrup is what!
All run-on sentences and obvious statements aside, this caramel simple syrup is truly a thing of miracles. In fact, I didn’t think it could be done. I thought I would just have to have the store-bought variety if I wanted homemade caramel lattes.
Or homemade iced coffee with caramel. Or caramel cold brew. Or…you get the idea.
Since my world was rocked making homemade vanilla syrup for coffee, I knew I had to give a caramel version a try. And oh boy, my friends, our world was rocked then…get ready for this. World-shaking.
In fact, I made the S.O. an iced caramel latte and he said it was “great, it tasted just like it came from the place…Starbucks…but better.”
And that, from a man of few words, was just the endorsement I needed. So let’s make it, and you, too, can have coffee-shop-worthy drinks right at home, without the price tag.
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener, generally made for use in beverages because it disperses the sweetness throughout the drink without any gritty texture that you might get if you were to just stir in sugar. This is especially key for iced drinks.
It’s typically a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar that is simmered until dissolved into a syrup. The ratio can be changed to make a thicker syrup that would be more like maple syrup or corn syrup consistency for things like pancakes and drizzling.
Simple Syrup can be flavored with a variety of fresh herbs, fruit, and spices – so many delicious options!
Making basic simple syrup is a quick and easy process, and while caramel simple syrup is relatively straightforward and simple, it does require a careful eye and a little more patience, but I promise you it’s totally worth it.
What About Caramel Sauce vs. Caramel Syrup?
You might hear the two terms used interchangeably, but there is a difference and it’s especially important to note because it will change the outcome of your recipe depending on what you use.
Caramel sauce is thick in texture with a rich flavor from added butter and/or cream. It’s what you’ll typically use to drizzle on ice cream or other desserts. Or hey, even pancakes! It’s also what you’ll want to use for a caramel drizzle on whipped cream (like in these whipped cream photos).
Caramel syrup is thinner and a little sweeter – less rich- than sauce because it is made with just sugar and water (and a little extract). It doesn’t have the same richness because there is not typically butter or cream added. Its purpose is for drinks because it easily dissolves into coffee or tea, infusing it with flavor.
What is Caramel Syrup Made Of?
Ah, homemade caramel syrup is a thing of beauty and few ingredients, friends.
While those store-bought varieties might have added ingredients, artificial ingredients, or preservatives, making latte syrup at home only requires two ingredients (plus water).
It’s simple and you know exactly what’s going into it! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Granulated Sugar: simple and straightforward!
- Water: this recipe uses a little more water than a typical 1:1 syrup ratio. This is to make sure that the syrup doesn’t actually thicken up too much once it cools, because then we basically have caramel syrup that isn’t great for iced drinks.
- Vanilla Extract: I like adding a little vanilla extract to round out the flavors and give the syrup more depth. If you have it on hand (like, maybe from this caramel cream cheese dip?), use caramel extract for more of a deep caramel flavor. You can also leave it out if you prefer.
Sometimes when making caramel-based recipes (like caramel corn) corn syrup is added to prevent the sugars in the caramel from crystalizing, and keeps the texture smooth. I haven’t found to need it in my many, many batches of caramel syrup making, but if you feel so inclined, add a little drizzle when you start the syrup.
How to Make Caramel Syrup
Typically, making caramel is one involved process, with a huge focus on temperature and time. Luckily, making caramel simple syrup is a little less exact with temperature and time, but it will require your attention so that it doesn’t burn.
Please see the full recipe card below for amounts and instructions.
Dissolve the Sugar in Water & Swirl
To start, there will be more sugar than water to make the caramel base. Dissolve the two together, swirling the pan as needed to “stir”.
There’s a lot of debate around making caramel and whether or not you should stir it. I like swirl because it’s an easy, hands-off way to make sure the sugars don’t crystalize. Use a pot holder if you need to, and simply lift the saucepan sightly using the handle and gently swirl it around in a circular motion.
There’s no need to do this vigorously, a gentle swirl every now and then is just enough.
Simmer Until Golden Brown
This is where making caramel syrup is a little more involved than regular simple syrup. You need time for the sugars to caramelize. Typically in basic simple syrup, you remove it once it’s dissolved and call it good.
Now, we will let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for anywhere from 10 to 16 minutes just until a light golden amber color appears.
I prefer going low and slow as far as time and temperature are concerned because if the sugars burn, there’s not really any going back.
Using just under medium heat on my gas stove, it takes around 11 minutes for the golden color to appear. If the temperature is lower, it has taken up to 16 minutes. This is why watching for the color is more important than exact timing.
If you prefer a darker, slightly bitter caramel, you can of course experiment with letting it cook to a darker golden. Do note that once it gets to the golden brown point, it can quickly turn too bitter and burnt tasting.
Remove From Heat & Add More Water
Now, this is very important: heat the additional water before adding it to the caramel syrup.
This will reduce the splatter that comes from the syrup and make your life a whole lot easier. Just pop it in the microwave before you add it (do this while the syrup is cooking to make things even easier).
I also recommend wearing oven mitts just in case there is extra splatter because it will splatter some.
As you whisk in the heated water, the caramel may slightly harden in bits. If this happens, keep whisking, and if needed, place it back over low heat while whisking until it’s dissolved again.
Then, whisk in the vanilla extract and allow the syrup to cool completely.
Add approximately 2 tablespoons of syrup to your favorite drinks to enjoy!
Salted Caramel Syrup
Ok, so you want to make salted caramel syrup. Good thing that’s as easy as can be!
Let the syrup cool slightly so it’s warm, but not too hot, and add salt to taste. Start with a little and continue tasting until it’s just salty enough for your preferences.
Storage
Now that you have homemade caramel syrup, transfer it to an airtight container like a glass jar with a lid and let it cool completely. Store it in the fridge and it will be ready each morning for your coffee.
It will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, sometimes longer. Flavored syrups tend to spoil faster than regular simple syrup, but they still have a pretty significant shelf life. Check for any moldy spots or an off-smell if you are storing it for a long time.
It is not recommended to store homemade syrups at room temperature for longer than a day or two, as they have a higher chance of spoiling and/or crystallizing.
Additional Tips & FAQs
- Worth repeating: watch for the color to change so that you don’t boil it too long.
- Once it’s completely cooled, you can store it in a squeeze bottle (with a lid on the tip) to easily drizzle out the syrup into drinks.
- This syrup is both gluten-free and dairy-free (but as always, check your specific ingredients to be sure).
- Serving size will vary depending on how much syrup you use per drink, etc. This recipe yields a little more than 3/4 cup of syrup.
- Also worth repeating: adding hot water will greatly reduce the splatter!
Ways to Use Caramel Syrup
Ah, let me count the ways to use this incredible syrup. Of course, it’s mainly for drinks but there are a few unexpected ways you can use it, too!
- Hot Caramel Latte or an Iced Caramel Latte
- You can also use it in iced coffee or cold brew drinks
- Stir it in tea, or make a tea latte
- Use it in cocktails – it’s especially excellent in bourbon or whiskey-based cocktails.
- Add it to hot (or cold) apple cider.
- Stir it in warm or cool milk for a kid-friendly drink
- Toss it with mixed berries, drizzle on yogurt with granola, or add it to a smoothie
- Brush on a freshly baked cake for extra flavor
More Coffee Syrup Recipes to Try
- Vanilla Bean Syrup
- Lavender Syrup
- Mint Syrup
- Autumn Spice Syrup (like pumpkin spice, but butter)
Need more? Check out our collection of latte syrup recipes!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Get the Recipe Homemade Caramel Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
- Mason Jar for storage
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the sugar and ½ cup water. Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer, swirrling the pan occasionally by gently lifting and turning in a circular motion.¾ cup granulated sugar
- Once the sugar is completely dissolved, reduce the heat slightly, if needed, to keep it at a low boil. Continue to swirl occasionally. Continue to simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes until a light golden amber color appears. If the mixture is at a low simmer, it may take up to 16-20 minutes. Watch the color (and keep in mind the pan may influence how the color appears, too).
- While the mixture is simmering, heat the remaining 1/2 cup of water in the microwave or in a small saucepan. Using hot water for the next step will reduce splatters.
- Once the light golden color appears, remove the saucepan from the heat. Wearing oven mitts, carefully whisk in the remaining (hot) water into the caramel syrup; it will splatter so be careful. If any syrup hardens, continue whisking and return to heat if needed until dissolved. Stir in the vanilla extract.½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Allow to cool before transferring to an airtight container. You can use it immediately if needed, but it will heat up iced beverages so mix it with milk or espresso first, before the ice. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use in your favorite beverages or recipes as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe makes just over 3/4 cups.
- Salted Caramel: allow syrup to cool to warm and stir in desired amount of salt; I like to start with 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt and add more as needed.
This is just the yummiest ever!!!!!
I’m so glad you love it!! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Laura!
Im always worried about products having “natural” flavorings being gluten free, with this recipe I am SURE it gluten and dairy free! It smelled like fresh caramel corn when it was almost done!I boiled mine on med low and it took a good 20 minutes but the plus is you really don’t have to stir but 3 or 4 times. This going in my caramel apple cider martini!!
Yay!! Agree – so good to not have to worry about ingredients. And a caramel apple cider martini…I’m getting on that ASAP! 🙂
I was skeptical of this recipe but WOW!!! Blew my socks off!! I had to omit the vanilla because I don’t have any but the flavor is still very good and caramel-y. Taste almost like caramel corn when I added the sprinkle of salt. 2tbsp in my Iced Coffee and I have my iced caramel coffee. 10/10
This made my day! I’m so glad you gave it a try and so excited to hear you loved it! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your review, Elise!
I wasn’t sure if mine would turn out because it was really hard to tell in my kitchen if it had turned an amber color – but it turned out great! I’m enjoying the best caramel latte I’ve had in a long time! I don’t like Starbucks’ hot coffees – they leave a gross aftertaste imo. So I’m glad to have a cheaper alternative!!
This makes me so happy to hear! There’s nothing better than a delicious homemade caramel latte IMO! 🙂 Thanks so much for giving it a try and taking the time to leave a review, Katherine, I really appreciate it!
Hi! I want to make this to brush on my cake layers instead of using a simple syrup. How’s the consistency? Will it be runny enough?
Hi! Sounds yummy 🙂 Yes, it has the consistency of regular simple syrup so it should work well. If you take a look at the video in the post you can see the runny consistency, which might give you a visual. Hope that helps!
Thanks! I just made it and it’s delicious. Can’t wait to use it for my birthday cake tomorrow!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear! Happy birthday!!
not sure what I did wrong but I had the sugar and water in my stove for 40 min simmering and the color never changed. therefor I ended up making simple syrup that took 40 min. I’m not sure how I could’ve done it wrong when i followed the recipe exactly and my syrup never changed color :((
Hi Chloe, I’m so sorry to hear you had this experience. The only thing I can think of is it sounds like maybe all of the water was added to start; it wouldn’t turn to golden in that case. I appreciate you giving it a try.
I had the same experience as Chloe. I pride myself in being a good cook, and surely know I did nothing wrong. I used 1/2 cup of water. Not the entire cup. I cooked it for about 25-30 mins. It did thicken, but never did it reach a golden color or even close to it. Ugh.
I’m really sorry to hear you had this experience, I know it’s frustrating to try a recipe and not have it turn out. Many others and myself have made it many times with success so I’d really like to figure out what is happening. Have you watched the video to see if yours is simmering the same? Are you using a gas or electric stove?
Hi! Have you tried this with coconut sugar by chance? I’m wondering if it would work just the same.
Hi! Unfortunately I haven’t. Would love to hear if you try it!
Hi! Wouldn’t doubling be ¾ + ¾ cup sugar and 2 cups water? I want to double it and not mess it up! 😝
Hi! Yes, so sorry for the typo in the body of the post. So you would have 1 1/2 cups sugar, and 2 cups water if doubling it.
Hi I tried it. It didnt taste Carmelie enough. Should I brown longer??
Yeah, you might have needed to simmer a bit longer. It’s hard to tell without seeing it, but it should be golden brown in color. The vanilla helps accentuate the flavor, too.
Best recipe yet!! I’ve made lots of simple syrup recipes, but none came even close to this one! Even the Salted caramel version is perfect! Thanks a million x 10! I boiled mine & simmered the mixture for a longer time to thicken the syrup & added the vanilla at the 14 minute mark…
This made my day! Thank you so much for sharing, I’m so glad you love it!
Hello. I’m attempting to making this on an electric stove and it’s clear not turning amber and it’s been 20 min. I did the 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Has this recipe turned out the same on an electric stove as on a gas? Would you know? Thank you!
Hi Audrey – great question. I’ve actually only made it on a gas stove. You may need to use a higher heat with electric; was it simmering?
Yes it was.
Ok, you may need to increase the heat so it boils more aggressively to caramelize. Hope this helps!