5 Homemade Spiced Syrups for Coffee, Tea and Cocktails

Homemade syrups turn an ordinary latte or cup of tea into a cozy treat, and they take about ten minutes to make. Each recipe uses equal parts water and sugar as a base. Store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.

The base method

1. Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan.
2. Add the flavorings listed below.
3. Simmer gently for 10 minutes without boiling hard.
4. Cool, strain into a clean bottle and refrigerate.

5 syrups

• Cinnamon: 3 cinnamon sticks.
• Ginger: a 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced.
• Vanilla: 1 vanilla bean split, or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract added at the end.
• Brown sugar and cinnamon: swap white sugar for brown and add 2 cinnamon sticks.
• Cardamom and orange: 6 crushed cardamom pods and a strip of orange peel.

How to use them

• Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons into hot coffee or tea.
• Drizzle over pancakes, waffles or oatmeal.
• Add to sparkling water for a spiced soda.
• Gift in small bottles with a tag and storage notes.

Save this to your winter drinks board and make one syrup this weekend.