Homemade Apple Syrup
This homemade apple syrup is an easy way to add apple flavor to your favorite fall drinks. It’s made with apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a little nutmeg, so you get plenty of apple flavor without needing a long ingredient list.
I like having a bottle in the fridge for homemade coffee drinks, cold foam, or anything that could use a little apple cinnamon flavor. I especially love using it to make my Iced Apple Cinnamon Latte, which only takes a few minutes once the syrup is ready.
What Does Apple Syrup Taste Like?
The apple juice gets simmered down first, which gives the syrup a stronger apple flavor before the sugar is added. Brown sugar gives it a deeper sweetness, while cinnamon and nutmeg add just enough spice without taking over the apple.
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Syrup
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this syrup:
- 100% apple juice
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Sea salt
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Apple Syrup
Start by adding the apple juice to a small saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10–15 minutes, or until it has reduced to around 3/4 cup.
Once the apple juice has reduced, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Keep the heat low and stir until both sugars have completely dissolved and the syrup looks smooth.
Take the saucepan off the heat and let the syrup cool for a few minutes before stirring in the vanilla extract.
Once cooled, pour the apple syrup into a syrup bottle or jar and keep it refrigerated.
Ways to Use Homemade Apple Syrup
I originally made this with coffee drinks in mind, and one of my favorite ways to use it is in my Iced Apple Cinnamon Latte. The apple syrup is mixed with espresso and oat milk, then topped with dairy-free cold foam and another drizzle of syrup.
You can also add it to cold brew, chai, or homemade cold foam. Or drizzle a little over pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal when you want some extra apple cinnamon flavor.
How to Store Homemade Apple Syrup
Pour the cooled syrup into a clean airtight bottle or jar and keep it refrigerated. Since this is a homemade syrup made with apple juice, I would keep it in the refrigerator rather than storing it at room temperature.
For longer storage, you can freeze the syrup in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room at the top for expansion. You could also freeze smaller portions in an ice cube tray and thaw what you need.
Homemade Apple Syrup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups 100% apple juice
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Small pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour the apple juice into a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the apple juice has reduced to about 3/4 cup.
- Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Reduce the heat to low and stir until the sugars are completely dissolved and the syrup is smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for a few minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Allow the syrup to cool before pouring it into a clean syrup bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator.
