Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup

Name: Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups brown sugar (light or dark, 250g); 1 cup water (235ml); 1 cinnamon stick; Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Make a batch of Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup in minutes with just a few ingredients. Perfect for coffee, cocktails, or desserts!

A glass bottle of cinnamon brown sugar syrup with a teaspoon of sugar and a cinnamon stick in front of it.

If you love adding a bit of sweetness and spice to your drinks or desserts, this cinnamon brown sugar syrup is just what you need.

With only a handful of ingredients, it's simple yet incredibly flavorful. It has that warm, cozy cinnamon aroma that blends perfectly with the rich, molasses-like sweetness of brown sugar.

Whether you're drizzling it over pancakes, stirring it into coffee, or using it to jazz up a cocktail, this syrup brings a comforting sweetness to just about anything.

Personally, I love how versatile it is—you can use it on a lazy Sunday morning for breakfast or impress friends with it at a dinner party.

Best of all, making it from scratch feels rewarding but takes almost no effort at all.

The taste is sweet, smooth, and spiced with a gentle cinnamon flavor that doesn’t overwhelm.

It’s like the cozy warmth of autumn in syrup form, with a depth from the brown sugar that white sugar just can’t match.

I’ve used this cinnamon brown sugar syrup in so many different ways—on pancakes, in cocktails, even as a drizzle over ice cream.

Every time I make a batch, the smell fills my kitchen with that sweet, warm cinnamon scent, and it never gets old.

If you love making homemade simple syrup, be sure to try Matcha Syrup, Chai Syrup, or Pumpkin Spice Syrup!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Variations
Ways to Use It
Storage
Top tips
FAQs
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Minimal Ingredients: Just four basic ingredients—brown sugar, water, cinnamon, and vanilla (optional)—and you’re good to go.
Quick to Make: You only need about 15 minutes, most of which is simmering time.
Versatile: This syrup can be used in drinks, breakfasts, and desserts. Think lattes, pancakes, cocktails, and ice cream.
Great for Gifting: Make a batch, pour it into a nice sterilized bottle, and it makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Customizable: You can adjust the level of sweetness or spice to fit your taste.

Ingredients

Brown Sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar, depending on how deep of a molasses flavor you want. Light brown sugar gives a milder, caramel-like taste, while dark brown sugar makes the syrup richer and more robust.
Cinnamon Stick: A whole cinnamon stick infuses the syrup with warm, spicy notes. If you don’t have a cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon can work, though it won’t be quite the same.
Water: This is the base that helps dissolve the sugar and creates the syrup's liquid consistency.
Vanilla Extract (Optional): The vanilla adds a subtle layer of flavor that complements the sweetness of the brown sugar and the spice of the cinnamon.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Stir the brown sugar and water together in a small saucepan over a medium heat, until the sugar dissolves, but don’t allow it to boil.

Cinnamon stick floating in a pot of simmering brown sugar simple syrup.

Add the cinnamon stick, reduce the heat and let the cinnamon brown sugar syrup simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and allow the simple syrup to cool, then remove the cinnamon stick.

Glass bottle of simple syrup with a spoonful of brown sugar and a cinnamon stick.

Variations

Spicier: Add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg for a more complex spice blend.
Citrus Twist: Throw in a strip of orange peel while simmering for a citrusy brightness.
Bourbon-Infused: Add a splash of bourbon after simmering for a grown-up version of the syrup, perfect for cocktails.
Maple Syrup Version: Swap half the brown sugar for maple syrup for an earthy, maple-cinnamon blend.
Cardamom Pods: Add a couple of cardamom pods for a more exotic spice note.
Ginger: Fresh ginger slices can give the syrup a zingy, spicy kick.
Star Anise: For a touch of licorice flavor, add a star anise while the syrup simmers.

Ways to Use It

Coffee Syrup: Add a couple of teaspoons to your morning coffee.
Baking: Use it in place of honey or maple syrup in baking recipes for a cinnamon-sweet touch.
Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle over vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Homemade Soda: Mix it with sparkling water for a homemade cinnamon soda.
Breakfast: Drizzle this cinnamon brown sugar syrup over pancakes, waffles or French toast.
Cocktails: Try it in cocktails and mocktails! 40 Best Cocktail Recipes to Make at Home

Storage

Fridge Storage: Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Long-Term Storage: To keep the syrup for up to a month, store it in a sterilized jar or bottle. This makes it perfect for gifting. How to sterilize jars.

Top tips

Avoid Boiling: When heating the sugar and water, be sure to keep the heat at a simmer. Boiling can cause the syrup to become too thick or even crystallize.
Sterilizing for Long-Term Storage: If you’re planning to gift this syrup or store it for more than two weeks, sterilizing your jar or bottle is a must to ensure it lasts.
Cinnamon Stick: Using a whole cinnamon stick gives a more subtle, natural flavor than ground cinnamon, so try not to skip this.
Cooling Time: Let the syrup cool completely before transferring to a container to prevent any condensation from forming, which could water down the syrup.

FAQs

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of a cinnamon stick?

Yes, just add half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon along during simmering. You may wish to strain the simple syrup through cheesecloth when cool.

Plus, you'll get a free eBook: 15 Minute Vegan Dinners!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you love this recipe, please leave a five-star rating and review in the comments below! And if you make any modifications, let us know how it went so that we can all benefit from your experience. Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe