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Syrups

Simple Syrup

  • Syrup / Sweetener
  • 0% ABV
  • 140 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You want to add sweetness and flavour depth to a drink.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer dry, unsweetened cocktails.

At a Glance

45 kcalCalories
0%ABV
10.9gSugar
10.9gCarbs
Syrup / SweetenerType
140Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a basic cocktail sweetener made from sugar and water. It dissolves easily into cold drinks and is used to balance citrus, soften strong spirits and add body to sours, fizzes, punches and mocktails.

What does Simple Syrup taste like?

Clean, neutral sweetness with no strong aroma. Simple syrup is useful when a drink needs sweetness without adding fruit, spice, honey, maple or liqueur flavours.

Simple Syrup profile

Mixability: HighIntensity: LightSweetBeginner-friendly: High

Best used for: balancing sours, tropical drinks, balancing citrus cocktails, sweetening drinks

  • Appears in 140+ recipes
  • Works in both cocktails and mocktails
  • Has 5 common substitutes

Ways to use simple syrup

Cocktails (124)Mocktails (14)Punches (1)Shots (1)

Simple syrup is a basic cocktail sweetener made from sugar and water. It dissolves easily into cold drinks and is used to balance citrus, soften strong spirits and add body to sours, fizzes, punches and mocktails.

Flavour profile

Sweet · medium

Recipes using this

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 22.18–59.15 ml; median 59.15 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 144 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
300
Sugar (per 100 ml)
72.5 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
72.5 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Autoimmune Protocol DietNot compatible
  • Colonoscopy DietNot compatible
  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • IIFYM DietCompatible
  • KetoNot compatible
  • Low FODMAP DietNot compatible
  • Low-CarbNot compatible
  • Low-SugarNot compatible
  • Pescatarian DietCompatible
  • Sirtfood DietNot compatible
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Reviewed substitutes

  • SugarSimilar neutral sweetness.
  • Agave SyrupAdds earthy agave notes.

Reviewed ingredient substitution guidance. Results can vary by brand, quantity and preparation. These substitutions have not been tested in every individual recipe.

Commonly observed with

Lime JuiceLemon JuiceAngostura BittersSoda WaterVodkaLight RumBlanco TequilaDark Rum

Observed co-use in the reviewed recipe corpus — not a universal pairing recommendation.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-16T02:53:30.320595+00:00

What it is

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener used to add sugar evenly to cold drinks. Because it is already dissolved, it mixes more easily than granulated sugar in shaken or stirred cocktails.

How it's used

How simple syrup is used

Simple syrup is usually used to balance citrus, coffee, bitterness or strong spirits. It is common in sours, fizzes, highballs, stirred drinks and many non-alcoholic mixed drinks.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes

Too much syrup can make a drink feel heavy and hide the main flavors. Start with less, taste the drink, and adjust only if acidity or bitterness is overpowering.

About this drink

Simple syrup is the practical bar version of dissolving sugar before it reaches the glass. It matters in cocktail history because the old formula of spirit, sugar, bitters and water depends on sweetness being integrated rather than gritty.

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.

Simple Syrup — common questions

How many cocktails are made with Simple Syrup?
There are 140 cocktail recipes featuring Simple Syrup in the WhatDrink database.
What are the most popular cocktails made with Simple Syrup?
Top-ranked cocktails made with Simple Syrup include Adios Amigos Cocktail, Amante Picante, Amaretto Rose. Rankings are based on recipe quality and data completeness.
What is the ABV of Simple Syrup?
Simple Syrup has an ABV of approximately 0%. The exact strength varies by brand and expression.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Intensity (light to bold), Sweetness (dry to sweet), Mixability (how versatile it is in cocktails) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare Simple Syrup with similar ingredients at a glance.
How do I use the Simple Syrup sensory profile to find drinks I like?
If you enjoy the intensity and flavour profile of Simple Syrup, look for other ingredients or cocktails with a similar profile. Compare Intensity, Sweetness and Mixability to find substitutes or discover new cocktails in the same flavour family.