Herb-Infused Simple Syrup Recipe for Cocktails and Mocktails

Let’s make fun and tasty herb-infused simple syrup to elevate your cocktails and mocktails with fresh, aromatic flavor.

Combine herbs, fruit and seasonings to make delicious simple syrups that add personality to party drinks. Set up a beverage station with a variety of citrus, fruit, juices, herb-infused syrups, sparkling water, and mixers so guests can build their own signature drinks.

What is a Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in water — a quick, effective way to sweeten cold beverages without the grainy texture of undissolved sugar. It’s ideal for iced tea, lemonade, iced coffee, mojitos, margaritas, and all kinds of mocktails and cocktails.

Keep a batch on hand at your beverage station for effortless drink-making.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Making simple syrup is as easy as heating water, adding sugar, and stirring until dissolved. Choose the ratio based on how sweet and viscous you want the syrup to be:

• Classic: 1 part sugar + 1 part water
• Rich: 2 parts sugar + 1 part water (sweeter and longer-lasting)
• Light: 1 part sugar + 2 parts water (less sweet)

Classic Simple Syrup

This basic syrup sweetens any mocktail or cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Heat the water to a gentle simmer and add the sugar.
2. Stir until the sugar dissolves; you don’t need to boil.
3. Remove from heat, let cool, then pour into a clean bottle or jar.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Notes: For a rich syrup, use 2 cups sugar to 1 cup water. For a light syrup, use 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup water. Yield: about 1 1/2 cups syrup. Use 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per beverage, starting with less and adjusting to taste.

Making Simple Syrup Interesting

To add depth, infuse simple syrup with fresh herbs, spices, or fruit. You can also replace water with fruit juice or coconut water, or substitute some or all of the sugar with honey (note honey will add its own flavor). Treat the syrup like a tea: steep flavoring ingredients in the hot syrup and strain when the taste is right.

How to Make Herb-Infused Simple Syrup

Infusing is easy. Heat water and sugar to dissolve, remove from heat, add fresh herbs and aromatics (ginger, cinnamon, lemon grass, etc.), and steep for 15–30 minutes depending on the intensity you want. Strain, bottle, and refrigerate.

Herb-Infused Simple Syrup (basic ratio)

Create a unique syrup for your favorite cocktails and mocktails.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs or a mix of herbs and aromatics

Instructions

1. Heat the water to a simmer, add sugar, and stir until dissolved.
2. Remove from heat, add the herbs, and steep for 15–30 minutes to taste.
3. Strain the syrup into a clean bottle or jar and let cool.
4. Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 weeks; the syrup can be frozen for longer storage.

Notes: To make a rich syrup, use 2 cups sugar to 1 cup water. To make a light syrup, use 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup water. This recipe yields about 14 two-tablespoon servings.

What Herbs and Seasonings Should I Use?

Use what you enjoy and what’s on hand. Unlikely herbs like rosemary and sage can be surprisingly delicious. You can use herbs alone or combine them with zests, spices, flowers, or fruit.

Herbs to try on their own:

• Mint
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Basil
• Lemon balm
• Lemon verbena
• Lemongrass
• Chamomile

Mix with other ingredients like:

• Citrus zest
• Fresh ginger
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Elderberry blossoms
• Hibiscus flowers
• Crushed or pureed fruit

Combinations to try (ideas to get you started):

How to Use Simple Syrup

Use plain or herb-infused simple syrup in iced coffees, iced teas, mocktails, or cocktails. A typical drink uses 1–2 tablespoons (about 1/2 to 1 ounce) of syrup—adjust to taste.

A simple non-alcoholic spritzer formula:

• Fill a glass with ice.
• Add 1/4 cup fruit juice.
• Add 1–2 Tbsp herb-infused simple syrup.
• Top with sparkling water, stir and enjoy.

Blue Ginger Spritzer

Blue fruit with a hint of ginger and lemongrass—refreshing and bright.

Ingredients (1 glass)

• Ice
• 3 Tbsp ginger & lemongrass simple syrup
• 3–4 whole blueberries or similar berries
• 3/4 cup ginger ale, club soda or sparkling water
• Garnish: lemon wedge and lemongrass blade

Instructions

1. Fill a short tumbler with ice.
2. Add the syrup and berries.
3. Top with soda or sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge, berries, or a blade of lemongrass.

Tip: For extra depth, make the syrup with coconut water instead of regular water.

Piña Romero

Tropical pineapple meets herbal rosemary for an island-inspired mocktail.

Ingredients (1 glass)

• Ice
• 1–2 Tbsp rosemary simple syrup
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice
• 1/4 cup coconut water
• Club soda or sparkling water to top

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the syrup, pineapple juice, citrus juice, and coconut water.
3. Top with club soda or sparkling water and garnish.

How to Store Simple Syrup

Store syrup in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator. Higher sugar ratios preserve longer; herb-infused syrups tend to have a shorter shelf life.

• Rich simple syrup: up to 6 months refrigerated.
• Classic simple syrup: up to 1 month refrigerated.
• Light simple syrup: 1–2 weeks refrigerated.

All types can be frozen for longer storage—thaw before use.

Simple syrup really is that simple. With a few fresh herbs or a bit of fruit, you can create memorable cocktails and mocktails all season long. Enjoy experimenting!

More Cocktail Ideas

• How to Muddle Herbs for Cocktails and Mocktails (ideas and technique)
• Rhubarb Simple Syrup and mocktail recipes
• Rhubarb cookbook ideas: rhubarb margarita and rhubarb martini
• Mimosa variations featuring rhubarb juice, orange juice and sparkling wine

If you make any of these syrups or drinks, share a photo on social media and tag your creation—it’s a great way to inspire others and exchange ideas.

Cook with the seasons, effortlessly! I’m Getty, a food educator and Professional Home Economist, helping you select, store, and serve seasonal ingredients in simple, everyday meals. Sign up for seasonal tips and recipes and explore more recipes and guides to get the most from your herbs.