Let me introduce you to my homemade Peppermint Syrup – the ultra-easy, super-versatile, fresh-as-a-glacier flavor bomb that's perfect for jazzing up your java or adding a pop of pep to your pastries. Bonus: you're just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of active time away from sweet, minty bliss!
Imagine infusing your morning coffee with a swirl of fresh, tongue-tingling wonder, or giving your afternoon matcha latte a whisper of peppermint perfection. And hey, why stop there? This little bottle of copycat Starbucks peppermint syrup is ready to shimmy its way into cocktails that’ll steal the spotlight at your next soiree. It’s also perfect for adding a splash of freshness to your favorite desserts.
Now, lean in close, because I’ve got a little secret to share. This potent potion of peppermint perfection is concocted with just 3 ingredients, one of which is water! And the cherry on top? You only need 5 minutes of active time to whip up this syrup. Five minutes to fantastic flavor? Yes, please!
Prepare to become the maestro of mint, the sovereign of sweeteners, and the ultimate barista of your kitchen. Now, let's get stirring! 🥄💫
Jump to:
- What is Peppermint Simple Syrup?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Homemade Peppermint Syrup Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Peppermint Syrup
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade Starbucks Peppermint Syrup Nutrition
- Other Homemade Coffee Syrups
- Peppermint Syrup
What is Peppermint Simple Syrup?
This peppermint coffee syrup is a sweet, concentrated nectar that’s bursting with clean, minty pizzazz. It’s like you captured the essence of a crisp, cool winter breeze in a bottle. Ready to rescue a bland beverage or lackluster dessert? Simply add a swirl of its candy cane-like charm.
But what exactly is this minty miracle? It's a sweet, infused syrup that takes the refreshing zing of peppermint and pairs it seamlessly with the velvety smoothness of sugar, all suspended in a clear liquid.
What does it taste like?
Imagine the lovechild of a sugar cube and a peppermint leaf twirling on your tongue like the Sugar Plum Fairy. It tastes like the first crisp inhale on a snowy winter walk, but instead of chilling your chest, it warms your soul. Each spoonful is a swirl of liquid cheer, a peppermint hug for your insides, and an instant refreshment that leaves you feeling a little more alive.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Peppermint Syrup Recipe
Still looking for reasons to give this recipe a whirl? Aside from tasting like liquid star mints, this tasty coffee syrup recipe is:
- Quick & Simple - 3 ingredients, 5 minutes — enough said.
- Budget-Friendly - Why spend $10+ on a bottle of Starbucks or Torani peppermint syrup when you can make it at home for pennies?!?
- Versatile - You can not only use this peppermint syrup for coffee, but also for dessert, cocktails, and more. From your morning joe to your happy hour mojito, it's the flavor wingman you never knew you needed. It’ll transform the basic and the “blah” into beautifully breathtaking with just a swirl!
- Bright & Refreshing - This peppermint flavoring syrup is like a splash of cool mountain stream water on a hot day, waking up every corner of your mouth with a vibrant, minty cheer.
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you need just a small handful of ingredients to make your own peppermint syrup, Starbucks-style. Here’s what to grab:
- Water - If possible, use filtered water for the best, cleanest taste.
- Granulated Sugar - This neutral sweetener brings the candy vibes while letting mint steal the show.
- Peppermint Extract - For that Binaca-fresh minty flavor.
Substitutions
Since there aren’t a ton of ingredients in the first place, there are only a few ingredient swaps worth noting:
- Granulated Sugar - You’re welcome to use organic cane sugar instead. You can also use the cup-for-cup sugar-free substitute of your choice (e.g. Swerve or Lakanto).
- Peppermint Extract - While I love the vibrant flavor of peppermint, you’re welcome to experiment with sweeter mint extracts like wintergreen or spearmint. Alternatively, you can use a few drops of food-grade peppermint essential oil. Just note that essential oil is very potent, so start with 2-3 drops and build the flavor from there.
How To Make Peppermint Syrup
This minty simple syrup recipe is as easy as 1-2-3! Here’s how it’s made:
Step 1: Heat. Whisk together the water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Whisk in the peppermint extract.Step 3: Cool & Store. Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to a syrup bottle and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
The great thing about making your own sauces and syrups is that you can adjust any recipe to fit your needs and preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sugar-Free Peppermint Syrup - If you want all the sweet, minty flavor in a diabetic-friendly package, simply swap in the cup-for-cup sugar substitute of your choice.
- Peppermint Mocha Syrup - If you know that you plan on pairing your bright minty freshness with the rich undertones of chocolate, feel free to blend this recipe with my mocha syrup by adding peppermint extract with the vanilla extract. It’ll taste just like a melted York Peppermint Patty!
- Make It Vegan - While there are no animal products in the syrup as written, many brands of granulated sugar purify their blends with bone char to get the bright white color. Make sure to opt for a brand that either lists “organic” or “unrefined” on the packaging to ensure your sweetener is vegan-friendly.
Serving Suggestions
This peppermint is syrup so versatile, it’s practically begging to be invited to every meal.
- Peppermint Mocha: Skip the coffee shop queue and add a dash of peppermint syrup to your mocha for a wake-up call that’s more refreshing than a winter wonderland.
- Minty Fresh Hot Chocolate: Give your cozy cup a minty hug by stirring in some syrup—top with whipped cream and a candy cane for full festive feels.
- Peppermint Soda: Jazz up your hydration game! A spoonful in sparkling water creates a homemade peppermint soda that’s as effervescent as your bubbliest friend.
- Peppy Pancakes and Waffles: Move over, maple! Drizzle peppermint syrup on your breakfast favorites for a fresh morning makeover.
- Cocktail O’Clock: Whether it's a Peppermint Martini or a fresh twist on a Mojito, this syrup will have your cocktails singing minty carols.
- Ice Cream Dream: A drizzle over vanilla ice cream turns a simple scoop into a peppermint patty on a cone.
- Peppermint Tea Time: A spoonful in your favorite tea can transport you to a minty meadow.
- Mint-Infused Whipped Cream: Whip it up with heavy cream for a topping that’s perfect on your favorite chocolate desserts like pudding, pie, or cake.
Recipe Success Tips
To ensure your peppermint syrup is the belle of the ball, here are some tips to make sure it’s a smashing success:
- Storage Smarts: Keep your bottled peppermint delight in a squeeze bottle or syrup bottle for easy dispensing. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or extend its shelf life up to 6 months by freezing!
- Sterilize Your Bottle: Before you pour your syrup into its new home, make sure the bottle is sterilized. This keeps things hygienic and extends the life of your syrup.
- Experiment with Varieties: Peppermint is the go-to, but feel free to experiment with other types of mint like spearmint or even chocolate mint for a twist.
FAQs
Great question! They’re both minty, both marvelous, and both ready to make your recipes sing, but they are quite different. Peppermint extract is super concentrated, potent, and all about the intense flavor. Think of it as the flavor essence of peppermint, distilled down to its very minty soul. You’d use it in recipes where you want a big burst of flavor without adding extra liquid.
Peppermint syrup, on the other hand, is sweet, sociable, and loves to mingle with other ingredients. This of it as peppermint extract’s less-intense cousin, diluted with sugar and water to create a sweet, full-bodied flavor that’s ready to drizzle and dazzle. It’s perfect when you’re looking for both sweetness and flavor, like in your drinks, over desserts, or when you’re just looking to add a little minty joy to your life.
According to the label, it’s made with “sugar, water, natural flavors, sodium benzoate, and citric acid.” Not sure about you, but I prefer my 3-ingredient version.
For coffee, I suggest you start with a tablespoon of peppermint syrup stirred into an 8-ounce cup. That's usually enough to give you that refreshing minty undertone without overwhelming your cozy drink.
As far as adding it to hot chocolate, note that it’ll depend on what type of hot chocolate you’re making. If you’re working from a packet of, say, super sweet Swiss Miss, you probably won’t want to add a ton or it might end up cloying. But, if you’re making your own from scratch, you can use the peppermint syrup as both the sugar and the minty flavor booster, so adding more is totally fine.
But remember, you’re the maestro of your mug! If your palate sings at the thought of a stronger minty note, feel free to add a bit more. Or, if you’re after just a whisper of peppermint, dial it back to a teaspoon. It’s all about creating your own perfect sip.
Homemade Starbucks Peppermint Syrup Nutrition
Each spoonful of this minty elixir you're swirling into your drink is packing about 55 calories. It's a lean, mean, flavor-boosting machine with 0 grams of fat and protein, so it's all about that sweet energy kick.
Now, it's pretty low in sodium, with just 1 mg—barely a pinch of salt there. But the main event is the sugars and carbs, which are one and the same in this instance, tallying up to 14 grams. That's where all the sweetness comes from, giving you that sugary pep without any of the other stuff. It's pure, mint-infused joy in liquid form! 🍃💫
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 55 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Carbohydrates: 14 grams
- Sugar: 14 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Homemade Coffee Syrups
Peppermint Syrup
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Whisk together the water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat.
- Whisk in the peppermint extract.
- Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to a syrup bottle and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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