Strawberry Simple Syrup

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Strawberry Simple Syrup is easy to make with just 3 ingredients and it can be used in so many ways!

Add a splash of strawberry syrup to a glass of mint lemonade or to a pitcher of mojitos and you just might find your new favorite drink to sip this summer. Pour it over a stack of buttermilk pancakes or my grandmother’s German pancakes for a breakfast that everyone will love.

A pitcher of strawberry syrup in the forefront of this image, with a stack of blueberry pancakes in the background, topped with whipped cream

Strawberry Simple Syrup

My sister introduced me to this strawberry simple syrup years ago. She excitedly called me up to tell me that she’d made a double batch, and I just had to have the recipe.

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We played around with the recipe during a visit later that month. This syrup works well in cocktails, as a topping for pancakes and waffles, and I’ve even been known to add it with some fresh fruit to a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

This delectable infusion of juicy, sun-ripened strawberries has the perfect amount of sweetness. Strawberry syrup takes whatever you put it on and adds a bright pop of color and flavor to it, beyond what you would get with regular syrup. I love having it on hand for guests and special occasions.

This syrup keeps in the fridge for weeks, though I’ve found that at my house it doesn’t last that long before I have to make another batch. My boys love pouring it over a stack of perfect pancakes.

boiling the strawberries in water to draw out the natural juices

Strawberry Syrup

In addition to pouring this syrup over pancakes and waffles, we enjoy it in cocktails like these brunch martinis and the St-Germain citrus splash. It’s also a terrific swap for the simple syrup in mojitos.

Try adding a splash to your next batch of lemonade, or drizzling it over this strawberry basil fruit salad for extra sweetness. I may have even been known to add it to my yogurt or oatmeal.

pouring cooked strawberries into the metal strainer to separate the flesh of the fruit from the juice in a clear glass bowl

Strawberry Syrup Recipe

You’ll need just three ingredients to make this recipe:

  • strawberries
  • water
  • sugar
a metal strainer full of berries rests above a clear glass bowl containing the strained red juice

How to Make Strawberry Syrup

To make the syrup, start by washing the berries and removing the stems. Then, roughly chop or quarter the strawberries and place them in a medium saucepan. Add the water and bring to a boil.

Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the berries for 20 minutes. Carefully skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.

pouring the strained strawberry juice from a clear glass bowl into a metal saucepan

After 20 minutes, the berries will be much lighter in color, and the water should be a dark pink or red. Place a fine mesh strainer over a second saucepan and pour the contents into it.

Resist the temptation to press down on the cooked berries to extract more juice. This will make your syrup cloudy. After straining, discard the cooked berries.

pouring sugar from a measuring cup into strawberry juice in a metal pan

Add the sugar to the liquid and bring it back to a boil. Stir constantly, until the sugar has dissolved completely. Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.

Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to glass jars for storage in the refrigerator. The syrup will last for several weeks.

strawberry juice and sugar combine in a metal saucepan on the stovetop

Strawberry Pancake Syrup

If you want a thicker syrup for a topping on pancakes, ice cream or other desserts, simmer the syrup for 5-10 minutes longer, until the liquid reduces and thickens further.

Also, you can absolutely make this syrup with frozen strawberries. I cannot tell the difference between the taste of fresh versus frozen berries. And, if you get a craving for them out of season, why not grab a bag from the freezer?

A clear pitcher containing vivid red strawberry syrup rests on a wooden tabletop with a white towel in the background

For those of you who love breakfasts as much as I do, you’re going to have to try this as a strawberry pancake syrup. Create a classic flavor combination with these irresistible banana pancakes.

This syrup would also go great with these mini german pancakes. And, you could get chocolate and strawberry flavors with this one-bowl hershey’s chocolate cake. But, I must warn you, that cake is hard to stop eating!

pouring strawberry syrup over a dollop of whipped cream on top of a stack of blueberry pancakes on a white plate

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A clear pitcher containing vivid red strawberry syrup rests on a wooden tabletop with a white towel in the background

Strawberry Simple Syrup

5 from 1 vote
Strawberry Simple Syrup is easy to make with just 3 ingredients and it can be used in so many ways!
Servings: 24 tablespoons

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs fresh strawberries
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar

Instructions

  • Wash the berries and remove stems. Roughly chop or quarter the strawberries and place them into a medium saucepan. Cover with the water and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer and cook the berries for 20 minutes. Carefully skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.
  • After 20 minutes, the berries will be much lighter in color and the water should be a dark pink or red. Place a fine mesh strainer over a second saucepan and pour the strawberry liquid through it.
  • Resist the temptation to press down on the cooked berries to extract more juice. This will make the syrup cloudy. After straining, discard the cooked berries.
  • Add the sugar to the liquid and bring it back to a boil. Stir constantly, until the sugar has dissolved completely.* Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.
  • Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool completely before transferring to glass jars for storage in the refrigerator. The syrup will last for several weeks.

Notes

* If you want a thicker syrup for a topping on pancakes, ice cream or other desserts, simmer the syrup for 5-10 minutes longer until the liquid reduces and thickens further.

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal · Carbohydrates: 20g · Protein: 0.3g · Fat: 0.2g · Saturated Fat: 0.01g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g · Sodium: 3mg · Potassium: 58mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 18g · Vitamin A: 5IU · Vitamin C: 22mg · Calcium: 7mg · Iron: 0.2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally published 7/11/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/15/23}

recipe barely adapted from and with thanks to The Shiksa

white lettering is overlaid this image of a clear glass pitcher containing strawberry simple syrup on a wood tabletop. the writing reads: Strawberry Syrup

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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    • Mary says

      Yes, the berries infuse the syrup and all of their flavor is in the water. The pulp that remains is virtually flavorless. I imagine you could still add that to muffins or a bread, but I don't think it would add much berry flavor at all.

  1. diana says

    If you know anyone with chickens, save the berries for them…they will love them! If not, compost them.5 stars