simple syrup

noun

: a sweetening agent made by melting granulated sugar in hot water

The drink developers decided they could add "dashes" of unsweetened, natural flavor, such as vanilla or hazelnut, and give customers the option to add or subtract pumps of simple syrup for more or less sweetness (each pump of syrup contains five grams of sugar).

—Julie Jargon

I just started making a Quarter Horse … . I found it on a cocktail app that I have called Highball, and it's made with bourbon, lime, simple syrup, ginger beer, and bitters.

—Anna Kendrick

Examples of simple syrup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the main competition, presented by the Flair Bartending Association, participants must make five cocktails in six minutes, including one original drink and a Spanish Long Island Iced Tea with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, cognac, sour mix and simple syrup, topped with Coke. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026

The Love Wins Lavender Lemonade ($15) features Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lavender simple syrup and lemonade. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026

The secret to making this fruity margarita on the rocks is the watermelon simple syrup which is a cinch to make. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

Try the house Sazerac, with Smith Teamaker’s hibiscus-tea simple syrup, and the gorgonzola cheesecake, with whole roasted garlic, chutney, and balsamic glaze. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for simple syrup

• stirrup