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    Milk and Pop » Recipes » Syrups and Extracts

    Brown Sugar Syrup (For Boba and Drinks)

    Published: Apr 16, 2021 · Modified: May 25, 2023 by Tatiana Kamakura · 7 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Brown sugar syrup is great for sweetening beverages. Its unique caramel flavor makes all the difference in milk teas and coffee drinks, and if stored correctly, it keeps for weeks after made!

    Let me start by saying this is a syrup for drinks, so don’t try pouring it over a stack of pancakes: this recipe doesn't make a thick syrup!

    If you’re constantly trying new coffee drinks or even cocktails, you know it’s not always easy to make sugar dissolve completely when mixing with a cold beverage. Having a bottle of sugar syrup in the fridge is a great timesaving solution and you won’t have any sugar sitting at the bottom of your drink.

    Brown sugar syrup swirling in a glass jar.

    Ingredients

    Brown sugar. Light brown sugar will give you a lighter caramel taste, and dark will make the caramel a bit stronger. That happens because of the amount of molasses: dark brown sugar has more than light brown sugar.

    Water. It needs to be hot for this recipe to work properly. Use filtered water if possible.

    Vanilla extract. Use a good vanilla extract for the best taste. Vanilla extract is good for enhancing the flavors of any recipe.

    How to make it

    In a medium bowl, or any heat-resistant recipient, add brown sugar. Pour hot water over sugar, stirring until it has dissolved.

    Recipe inside a heat-safe recipient.

    Add vanilla extract and give it a stir to mix.

    Wait for it to cool for 10 minutes and store in a jar with a lid, inside the fridge. Brown sugar syrup is good up to 2 months if stored correctly.

    Flavor variations

    Make it stronger. For a stronger caramel taste, add 2 tablespoons of molasses to the brown sugar. Pour hot water and stir until dissolved.

    Add cinnamon. Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with the brown sugar before adding hot water.

    Add nutmeg. Mix 1 teaspoon of nutmeg with the brown sugar before adding hot water.

    Hand closing the lid of a glass bottle.

    Recipes that use brown sugar syrup

    Earl Grey Milk Tea
    Brown Sugar Milk Tea
    Oatmilk Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

    📖 Recipe

    A bottle of brown sugar syrup.

    Brown Sugar Syrup (For Boba and Drinks)

    Tatiana Kamakura
    Brown sugar syrup is great for sweetening beverages. Its unique caramel flavor makes all the difference in milk teas and coffee drinks, and if stored correctly, it keeps for weeks after made!
    5 from 213 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Base Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 42 tablespoons
    Calories 41 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 Jar or bottle with lid

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups brown sugar packed
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a small saucepan or using a microwave, boil the water.
    • In a medium heat-resistant bowl, add brown sugar. Pour hot water over it, stirring until brown sugar is completely dissolved.
    • Add vanilla extract and stir to combine. Let syrup cool for 10 minutes.
    • Store brown sugar syrup in a jar with lid, inside the fridge.

    Video

    Notes

    You can use both light and dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar will give you a lighter caramel taste, and dark will make the caramel a bit stronger.
    Flavor variations
    Strong Brown Sugar Syrup. For a stronger caramel taste, add 2 tablespoons of molasses to the brown sugar. Pour hot water and stir until dissolved.
    Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup. Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with the brown sugar before adding hot water.
    Nutmeg Brown Sugar Syrup. Mix 1 teaspoon of nutmeg with the brown sugar before adding hot water.
    For a thicker syrup
    • Use one part of water for 2 parts of sugar (1 cup of water for 2 cups of brown sugar).
    • For a thicker syrup, you'll need to make using a stovetop.
    • Mix brown sugar and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil until brown sugar is completely dissolved into water. If not thick enough, lower the heat and let it simmer for 1 minute. After 1 minute, check consistency.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 0.01gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 14mgSugar: 10gCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Apple Brown Sugar Syrup
    • Coconut sugar syrup pouring over beverage.
      Coconut Sugar Syrup for coffee, drinks and boba
    • Blueberry simple syrup dripping from a spoon.
      Blueberry Simple Syrup For Drinks

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley

      March 04, 2025 at 1:59 pm

      Could I store cooked boba in the syrup in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Tatiana Kamakura

        March 05, 2025 at 8:19 am

        Hi Ashley,
        You can store cooked boba in syrup in the fridge, but it's best consumed within 24 hours for the best texture.

        Reply
    2. Deb

      June 01, 2023 at 2:45 pm

      Sounds wonderful! Can coconut sugar be used in place of brown sugar?

      Reply
      • Milk and Pop

        June 16, 2023 at 9:28 am

        Hi Deb! Yes, it can 😉

        Reply
    3. nat

      March 06, 2023 at 1:26 am

      5 stars
      I swear I was shocked at how good this was considering that this recipe only has 3 ingredients. Once you mix it with milk it's so good.

      Reply
    4. 7TP is amazing

      November 19, 2022 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      great it worked!!

      Reply
    5. Janusei khy

      November 25, 2021 at 12:49 am

      5 stars
      I love it

      Reply
    5 from 213 votes (210 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Tati! Here at Milk and Pop, I’m all about making sourdough simple, doable, and fun. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to bake more consistently, I’ll help you fit sourdough into your real life, one loaf at a time.

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