Brown Sugar Syrup (for tea and other drinks)

What if I told you that you can make a syrup to elevate your tea and other drinks in less than 3 minutes and with only 2 ingredients? Brown Sugar Syrup is often used in some Starbucks drinks and bubble tea. It has a rich, caramel-like sweetness and flavour that you wouldn’t normally get with other sweeteners or syrups. The consistency of this brown sugar simple syrup recipe is perfect to add to tea. I recommend it with most black teas, roasted oolong teas, matcha, hojicha and genmaicha green tea. Once you give this easy recipe a try you’ll want to say goodbye to those store-bought tea and coffee syrups.

What is Brown Sugar? 

brown sugar

Brown sugar is granulated white sugar with molasses. The molasses gives it a caramelized sweetness that goes well with tea, especially when making milk tea or lattes.

There is light brown sugar and dark brown sugar. The difference is the amount of molasses. Light brown sugar has less molasses than dark.

Light or dark can be used in this recipe. However, if you use dark brown sugar instead of light it will have a deeper flavour.

What is Brown Sugar Syrup?

Brown sugar syrup is a variation on simple syrup. It is made with equal parts water and brown sugar. 

Since it is a liquid sweetener, it is easier to mix in cold drinks compared to just brown sugar because the sugar is already dissolved and therefore it will not settle to the bottom. But, it can also be used in hot drinks.

Thin vs. Thick

Brown sugar syrup can be made thin or thick.

Thin brown sugar syrup is perfect for mixing into tea, coffee, cocktails and other drinks. The consistency will be runny. 

Thick is best for pancakes, french toast, waffles, etc. The consistency will be more gooey, so it is better for drizzling. 

This recipe makes a thin, runny syrup as I mainly use it for tea and other drinks. However, if you want to make it thicker simply heat the syrup on the stove a bit longer.

How to Use Brown Sugar Syrup 

Brown Sugar Syrup in Tea

Brown sugar syrup is great to use in hot or cold drinks. Try it in:

I know this is a tea blog but yes, you can also use this syrup in coffee!

How to Make Brown Sugar Syrup

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cup of syrup. Find the full recipe card towards the end of this blog post.

Here is what you will need:

1 cup water
1 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)

Directions: 

In a small saucepan over medium heat, add water and brown sugar. Heat and stir until sugar dissolves completely (about 2-3 minutes). You do not need to boil it as boiling will make it thicker than it needs to be for drinks.

Look for little chunks of brown sugar that may settle at the bottom of the saucepan. Try to break them up to help them dissolve faster. 

Once fully dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. It will slightly thicken as it cools.

brown sugar syrup

Pour the syrup into an airtight jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. 

Sweeten tea, lattes, cocktails and more by using 1 tablespoon per 1 cup. You can adjust to your taste preference though. 

Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe

Brown Sugar Syrup

Lu Ann Pannunzio
Brown sugar syrup has a rich, caramel-like sweetness and flavour. With just 2 ingredients, you can easily make this liquid sweetener at home. Use it in teas, cocktails, coffee and more!
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Syrup
Cuisine American
Servings 1 1/2 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup light or dark brown sugar packed

Instructions
 

  • 1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add water and brown sugar. Heat and stir until sugar dissolves completely (about 2 minutes). Look for little chunks of brown sugar that may settle at the bottom of the saucepan. Try to break them up to help them dissolve faster. 
  • 2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. It will slightly thicken as it cools.
  • 3. Pour brown sugar syrup into an airtight jar or bottle. Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. 

Notes

How to use this syrup: Sweeten tea, lattes, cocktails and more by using 1 tablespoon per 1 cup. Adjust to taste.
Light or dark brown sugar can be used in this recipe. Dark brown sugar will offer a richer flavour, compared to light brown sugar.
To make a thicker syrup, simply heat on the stove a bit longer (about 6-8 minutes).
Keyword brown sugar syrup, cocktail syrup, easy syrup, simple syrup

Want to make this brown sugar syrup recipe later? Pin it here → https://bit.ly/3LKaak0

brown sugar syrup recipe

How would you use this liquid sweetener? Share in the comments below and keep an eye out for tea recipes that will feature this syrup soon!

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