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    Home » Syrups and Extracts

    Microwave Simple Syrup (No Boil)

    Published: May 23, 2023 by Milk and Pop

    Jump to Recipe

    Did you know you can make simple syrup in less than 5 minutes? Say goodbye to stovetop stirring and hello to quick and easy microwave simple syrup, a foolproof recipe that won’t cause sugar to crystallize.

    a bottle of simple syrup, two coffees and sugar.

    Looking for more syrup ideas? Try my famous brown sugar simple syrup that’s perfect for boba teas, milk teas and lattes.

    Jump to:
    • Why make it
    • What is simple syrup?
    • Ingredients
    • How to make it
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipes with sugar simple syrup
    • Questions you might have
    • Storing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why make it

    • You’re looking for an easy but quick sugar simple syrup;
    • You have a short time to make it;
    • You don’t want to use a stove

    Let me tell you a secret: you don’t need to boil water for making a simple sugar syrup: that’s only necessary when you want to infuse the syrup with some other flavor that requires boiling (like this Earl Grey syrup).

    We’re only heating water for this recipe. I’ll tell you more about how this is going to work below.

    What is simple syrup?

    Simple syrup is a recipe that dissolves sugar into water, making it easier to be mixed into beverages, especially iced ones. Sugar takes longer to fully dissolve into cold liquids, so having it in a syrup makes sweetening a drink effortless.

    The amount of sugar used is what makes it different from a regular syrup. Simple syrups are more liquid, using a ratio of 1:1 (1 part sugar, 1 part water). A regular syrup is thicker and uses 2 parts of sugar for 1 part of water.

    Ingredients

    This is an easy sugar syrup that takes only 2 ingredients.

    Water. Use filtered or tap water.

    Sugar. Use granulated or caster sugar.

    Ingredients of this syrup: water and sugar, and a glass bottle to store.

    Don’t use powdered/icing sugar for this recipe.

    How to make it

    A sugar simple syrup doesn’t need to be boiled for longer periods: sugar dissolves into water even when using it cold. But to speed the dissolving process a bit, we’re heating the water in this recipe using the microwave.

    You’ll need a microwave safe bowl for this recipe.

    Heated water with wooden spoon.

    Heat water in the microwave for 1 minute. You don’t need to let it boil.

    adding sugar to heated water.

    Add sugar and stir until dissolved.

    Mixing sugar into hot water.

    Wait for it to cool before storing.

    Expert Tips

    • You don’t need to boil the water for this recipe to work: heating it is more than enough.
    • The amount of time for water to heat depends on the microwave and can vary between 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Transform this recipe into a vanilla simple syrup by adding 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
    • For safety reasons, place a wooden spoon or chopstick in contact with water when heating it. In case you boil water by accident, adding it helps to prevent the risk of super-heating.
    • If you’re using tap water, check if yours doesn’t have a high amount of chlorine in it. Chlorine might leave an unpleasant aftertaste for some people.

    Recipes with sugar simple syrup

    Using simple syrup is much easier than adding sugar. Try these recipes and check the difference:

    • Chocolate Cream Cold Brew with chocolates around the glass.
      Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)
    • Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
    • a tall glass of vanilla sweet cream cold brew with cream, syrup and coffee in the back
      Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
    • vanilla frappuccino with whipped cream and a vanilla cookie
      Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino (No Ice Cream)

    Questions you might have

    How do you know when simple syrup is done?

    Simple syrup is ready when all sugar has dissolved.

    Does simple syrup need to be refrigerated?

    Yes. You should refrigerate simple syrup to keep it for longer.

    Can I make a smaller amount of simple syrup?

    Yes, you can make half a cup, a quarter of a cup, or any amount needed. You just need to remember to keep the ratio 1:1 (equal parts of sugar and water), and everything will turn out fine. Also, note that the amount of water used will take less time to heat if using less than 1 cup.

    Storing

    Once it's cooled down, transfer simple syrup into a bottle, jar, or container with an airtight lid. Keep it refrigerated.

    If stored in the fridge, simple syrup will last for about 3 to 4 weeks. However, if you notice any cloudiness in the syrup, that's an indication of mold, and it's best to discard it immediately as it's no longer safe to consume.

    Sugar simple syrup in bottle, with sugar in the back

    If you liked this recipe, click on the stars below and let me know!

    📖 Recipe

    Microwave simple syrup stored in a glass bottle, sugar on the back

    Microwave Simple Syrup

    Milk and Pop
    Did you know you can make simple syrup in less than 5 minutes? Say goodbye to stovetop stirring and hello to quick and easy microwave simple syrup, a foolproof recipe that won’t cause sugar to crystallize.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 21 tablespoon
    Calories 37 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • microwave safe bowl

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Heat water using the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. No need to boil.
    • Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
    • Wait for it to cool before storing.

    Notes

    Transform this recipe into a vanilla simple syrup: add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract after adding sugar. Use vanilla extract, not flavor.
    Do not use powdered/icing sugar for this recipe. Use granulated or caster sugar.
    The amount of time for water to heat depends on the microwave and can vary between 1 to 2 minutes.
    For safety reasons, place a wooden spoon or chopstick in contact with water when heating it. In case you boil water by accident, adding it helps to prevent the risk of super-heating.
    If you’re using tap water, check if yours doesn’t have a high amount of chlorine in it. Chlorine might leave an unpleasant aftertaste for some people.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 9gFat: 0.03gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 0.2mgSugar: 10gCalcium: 0.4mgIron: 0.005mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Homemade Syrups and Extracts

    • Blueberry simple syrup in a jar, with a bowl of frozen blueberries on the side.
      Easy Blueberry Simple Syrup (for lemonades and cocktails)
    • Bottle of Earl Grey syrup
      Earl Grey Syrup for cocktails and coffee
    • Two jars of lavender extract.
      Lavender Extract
    • Jar full of Earl Grey extract.
      Earl Grey Extract

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    Tatiana's headshot

    Hello! I'm Tatiana, self-taught baker, coffee lover and food photographer. Here at Milk and Pop, I'll share with you my favorite bread, baking and breakfast recipes.

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