Homemade Herbal Simple Syrup Recipes (Cocktails & Mocktails)
Your garden is in full bloom, or you’ve dried your heart out, now what to do with all those extra herbs? Herbal Simple Syrups are the answer! It’s a great way to not let all the goodness go to waste. We’ve gathered a list of our favorite simple syrup recipes from our friends for you to try.
Whether you’re shaking cocktails, fizzing mocktails, sweetening tea, or drizzling on pancakes, these syrups add that extra oomph. Each simple syrup recipe is easy, uses simple ingredients, and gives you a delightful garden infusion.
You can make herbal mocktails or cocktails with simple syrup, flavor your coffee, hot cocoa, lemonade, and soda. It’s even great to have on hand for a fun twist to ice cream, pancakes, and waffles!
Learn more about our favorites herbs to grow in the garden that are perfect for many of these recipes! Grab some seeds from Botanical Interests or Baker Creek!
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Tools You’ll Need to Make Herbal Syrups
You only need a few basic ingredients to make simple syrup.
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Heat-proof jar or bottle with lid
- Optional: funnel and labels (perfect for gifting!)
I am not a doctor or medical professional; nothing written here should be taken as medical advice or knowledge. Please consult your doctor before ingesting any herbs.
Basil Simple Syrup
Basil is a must-have herb for any garden, big or small and our friend, Champagne Tastes, shows us that it’s not just for cooking either.
This basil simple syrup recipe is all about the fresh green magic, sweet and subtle. You’ll get a bright aroma that’s refreshing and complex.
This herb elevates everything from iced tea to mocktails with it’s sweet depth and savory twist.
Learn how to make this peppery and smooth basil simple syrup here.
Chamomile Simple Syrup
Chamomile is like a big calming hug and a big cozy blanket, and I love growing it to make soothing chamomile tea.
That’s not all it’s good for though! The daisy-like blooms give a slight floral and apple scent that’s great for soda, cocktails, lemonades, or even over cakes and ice cream.
You’ll love this fun addition to your kitchen and drinks!
Learn how to make this light and floral chamomile simple syrup from Milk Glass Home here.
Lemon Balm Simple Syrup
This lemon balm simple syrup recipe from Milk Glass Home gives us a bright and refreshing syrup that’s perfect for cooling drinks like soda, iced tea, or lemonade.
It’s the perfect way to use this happy herb from the garden. With a mild, lemon-mint scent, it will lift your spirits (and it’s super easy to grow).
You’ll easily elevate any drink with this recipe.
Learn how to make this refreshing lemon balm simple syrup here.
Learn more about lemon balm vs lemon verbena here.
Lavender Simple Syrup
This lavender syrup recipe from Three Olives Branch offers a simple way to infuse delicate, floral flavors into drinks and desserts.
The syrup captures lavender’s subtle, earthy notes without any overpowering bitterness.
This is a versatile syrup that’s especially complementary to citrus, herbs, berries, and coffee-based beverages.
Spruce Tip Simple Syrup
This one is a wild, woodsy treat that’ll capture the essence of spring in the forest. Made from tender spruce tips– the bright green new growth in early spring– you’ll taste a hint of citrus with a bite of resinous flavor.
Notes of pine, lemon, and vanilla will delight your tastebuds. It’s surprisingly delicate and refreshing.
Perfect for sparkling water, gin cocktails, hot tea, or even a little splash on pancakes for an earthy twist.
Learn how to make Spruce Tip Simple Syrup from Peak to Plate here.
Thyme Simple Syrup
An unexpected addition to your pantry, thyme simple syrup brings an elegant twist to any drink. A warm, earthy, and slightly minty flavor combines with a savory herbal edge.
The flavor balance the sweetness and goes well with citrusy drinks like lemonade, gin fizz, or grapefruit spritzers.
It also shines in hot tea or even drizzled on fresh fruit or pound cake! It’s subtle, but distinctive and will leave you delighted.
Learn how to make Thyme Simple Syrup from The Littlest Crumb here.
Blackberry Simple Syrup
Blackberry simple syrup is summer in a bottle. Rich, juicy, and flavorful, this deep purple hue will bring a sweet, bold burst to any drink.
Perfect for mocktails, cocktails, lemonades, iced tea, or even drizzling on waffles & pancakes, and even ice cream! It’s both sweet and tart, bringing a ripe, fruity flavor without being overpowering.
This syrup will make any drink or dessert feel extra special.
Learn how to make this blackberry simple syrup from Green Heart Love here.
Elderberry Simple Syrup
Elderflower simple syrup is is delicate, floral, and fragrant. It’s like bottling up a blooming meadow.
Using fresh picked flowers, it has a soft honey-like sweetness with subtle notes of pear mixed with the citrus of the lemons and tangerines.
It’s perfect for cocktails, lemonades, spritzes, or drizzled over shortbread and panna cotta. A little goes a long way and adds just a touch of garden sophistication.
Learn how to make this Elderflower Simple Syrup from Montana Homestead Harvest here.
Mint Simple Syrup
Mint is a vibrant, strong, and refreshing herb to and has a cooling aroma that’ll make any drink or treat cooler.
It’s perfect for flavoring teas, drinks, and desserts with it’s bright burst of herbal goodness.
Mint is a refreshing and aromatic herb that comes in many varieties, such as peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint. They’ll all give you a clean, crisp feel to your palate.
Spiced Simple Syrup
This spiced simple syrup is made with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, making it the warmest one on the list.
Its rich, aromatic flavor is the perfect comfort addition to any drink or dessert, come fall and winter.
Warmth with a little bit of bite, all tied together with a bit of sweetness, this syrup is perfect for apple cider, hot chocolate, or even on oatmeal, baked apples, and pancakes!
Learn how to make this Spiced Simple Syrup from Olive Tavern here.
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
This one is a vibrant, tangy-sweet syrup made from dried hibiscus petals. It brings a gorgeous ruby color and a bold tart flavor to anything you add it to.
It has a similar flavor profile to cranberries; bright, a little sour, fruity, & floral. The perfect match to lemonade, tea, cocktails, or even just a splash in sparkling water.
You’ll also get a little antioxidant boost when you’re sipping on your pretty drink!
Learn how to make this dynamic and bright syrup from Flavorful Eats.
Tips for Herbal Simple Syrup
- Use equal parts water and sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.). For richer, thicker syrup, try 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio.
- Fresh herbs give vibrant flavor; dried herbs are more consistent.
- Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks (longer if canned).
How to Use Simple Syrups
Cocktails & Mocktails: Mojitos, gin fizz, iced teas & spritzers
Baking & Desserts: Glaze cakes, sweeten fruit salad or yogurt
Hot & Cold Drinks: Coffee, tea, lemonade, sparkling water
Gifts: Bottle, label, tie a ribbon—voilà!
Homemade herbal simple syrups are a quick, fun, and way to add charming flavor than any drink, breakfast, or dessert. Try one—or all— and infuse your world with flavor, and let us know your favorite syrup!
FAQS
2–3 weeks on average, but some can last 6 months or more if canned
Of course! Freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
Yes! Try honey and sugar blends or maple syrup—adjust to taste.
Such a great list of herbal syrups. Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve been making quite a few this year but found lots of great new ideas here. Thanks so much for sharing. I love the idea of a mint syrup. My peppermint needs to be cut back before it takes over everything!
Great list of simple syrup you can use all year long!
Thank you for all these herbal recipes! herbs are so important to our health so im greatful for the information!
Such a great all in one post! I’ve never heard of spruce tip simple syrup. And that blackberry simple syrup looks divine! Thank you for sharing!
These all look so good, I don’t know which one to make first! 😀
Great recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Gosh, I want to try them ALL! The glass jars are a nice touch, too! Great gift.