Microwave Simple Syrup Recipe
This Microwave Simple Syrup recipe needs just water and sugar plus your trusty microwave. This homemade simple syrup is ready in just minutes and is an awesome shortcut for an important ingredient for making delicious cocktails at home. Need to sweeten up a drink but donโt want to spend the time to make traditional simple syrup? Use my recipe below.

Microwave Simple Syrup is a great hack!
This Microwave Simple Syrup recipe will help you make a batch of sweetener for your beverages, quickly. This method is perfect if you need simple syrup faster or donโt want to bother with the stovetop.
While youโll still have to let it cool a little before using it, making it in the microwave means you wonโt have to wait for the water to boil which will save a little time.
Related post: Classic Simple Syrup for Cocktails and Mocktails
Having this simple syrup on hand will help to ensure that all your drinks (cocktails and mocktails) are perfectly balanced and sweetened.
Plus you can also easily adjust how sweet or not sweet you want your drinks by adjusting the amount of water and/or sugar used when making your simple syrup in the microwave.
Ingredients
- water
- sugar
The basic ratio for traditional syrup is 1 part water to 1 part sugar.
See the printable recipe card below for quantities and the full recipe.
It really doesnโt matter what type of sugar you use. I prefer to use white sugar since that is what I have on hand. But you can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar or even maple syrup (these will change the flavor of the syrup a little bit).
How to Make Simple Syrup in the Microwave
Step 1
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the water and sugar.
Step 2
Stir to combine.
Step 3
Microwave for 2 minutes.
Step 4
Stir until the sugar completely dissolves. *Be careful, the vessel might be hot!*
Pour it into a glass jar to cool. Itโs also a great way to store it in the refrigerator.
To Use in a Drink
You can use this microwave simple syrup to add sweetness to coffee, iced tea cocktails and mocktails.
If you arenโt following a recipe, start with about 1/2 of a Tablespoon, taste it and then add more as needed.
If you are following a recipe, it should call out how much to use in the drink.
Variations
I donโt love overly sweet drinks so I typically cut down the amount of sugar I use. Instead, I do 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup of water.
You can play around with that ratio even more to create your perfect recipe.
You can use this base syrup to create flavored syrups. Youโll add the herb or fruit to the vessel with the sugar and water and once you remove it from the microwave, you will need to steep it for about 20 minutes. This may not impart as much flavor as when you make them on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making simple syrup in the microwave is a great time-saving hack for anyone who loves making their own cocktails at home but doesnโt have time for complicated recipes!
Make sure you donโt lose this recipe by saving it for later! Also, for more recipes make sure youโre following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!
More simple syrup recipes
- Cheater Simple Syrup for One Cocktail (With a Sugar Cube!)
- Vanilla Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- Blueberry Simple Syrup
- Blackberry Simple Syrup
- Basil Simple Syrup
- Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Honey Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup Recipe in the Microwave
Equipment
- Microwave safe glass or bowl
Ingredients
- .5 cup water
- .5 cup sugar
Instructions
- Add water and sugar to a microwave safe bowl or glass, stir.
- Cook for 2 minutes and carefully remove from microwave.
- Stir continuously to dissolve the sugar.
- Let cool completely before adding to a drink or cocktail.