This strawberry simple syrup is made with just three ingredients and comes together on the stove in about 30 minutes. It’s the kind of strawberry syrup that you’d find at a coffee shop or cocktail bar.

Close up view of strawberry syrup in a bottle.

I love keeping a jar of this in the fridge all summer long. This strawberry simple syrup is one of those recipes that tastes good in so many things.

Stir it into some lemonade, use it for a strawberry soda, or mix up a quick strawberry milk for the kids.

It comes together in about 30 minutes, and once you’ve made it once, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff.

Kim’s Tips for the Best Strawberry Syrup

Taste your berries first. This is the single biggest thing that affects flavor. Dull, out of season berries make a dull syrup. Add a little more sugar and simmer a little longer if yours are bland.

Don’t press the pulp when straining. Pour and walk away. Pressing forces sediment through and makes the syrup cloudy. Plus, you’ll get seeds in the syrup.

Cool it completely before using. Warm syrup over ice just waters your drink down. If I’m in a hurry, I set the pan of syrup in a bowl of ice water. It chills in about 15 minutes.

Watch the stove. This mixture will boil over faster than you’d expect, even at a low simmer. Don’t walk away or you’ll have sticky, burnt syrup all over the stove top.

How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup

Add the strawberries, sugar, and water to a large saucepan over low heat. Stir to combine and let everything warm slowly until the sugar dissolves and the berries begin to soften, about 10 to 15 minutes.

As the strawberries soften, mash them with a wooden spoon or potato masher until they break down into a pulp.

Strawberries, sugar, and water in a pan.

Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful since the mixture can easily boil over.

Set a fine mesh strainer over a heat safe bowl and pour the mixture through. Do not press the solids. Let it drain on its own.

Let the strawberry simple syrup cool completely before using or storing.

Why Is My Strawberry Simple Syrup So Thin?

That’s how it’s supposed to be! This is a flavoring syrup, thin and pourable by design. It’s not thick like maple syrup.

If you want something thicker for drizzling over pancakes or buttermilk biscuits, use less water to start or simmer longer to reduce it. Simmering longer also deepens the color and intensifies the flavor, which I actually prefer.

Curet of strawberry simple syrup next to fresh berries.

How Long Does Strawberry Simple Syrup Last?

Store it in an airtight glass jar in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks. To stretch the shelf life, pour the cooled syrup into ice cube trays, freeze completely, then transfer to a freezer bag and pull cubes out as needed.

Try Other Flavors

Once you’ve made this once, the same method works for just about any berry or soft fruit. I’ve made it with peaches, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries.

You can also infuse the base during the simmer with fresh mint, lavender, or a sliced jalapeño for heat. Just remove whatever you add along with the pulp when you strain.

Check out our blueberry simple syrup, cherry simple syrup, easy peach syrup, and blackberry simple syrup for specific recipes.