Tired of store-bought syrups? Try my homemade Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup, the perfect way to enhance your coffee, lattes, smoothies, and iced drinks with a touch of warm, sweet vanilla flavor that everyone loves!
This Vanilla Bean Syrup is made with real vanilla beans, sugar, and water, creating a smooth, aromatic, and flavorful homemade coffee syrup that’s far better than store-bought versions. Whether you enjoy hot coffee, cold brew, or flavored lattes, a splash of this rich vanilla syrup will make every sip extra special. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, requires just three simple ingredients, and can be stored for weeks! Trust me, your home will smell like a coffee shop every time you make a hot or cold beverage with this homemade Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup!
Try my favorite Vanilla Bean Latte recipe using this homemade coffee syrup! If you love lattes, don’t miss my other favorite—Salted Caramel Latte!
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Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup Recipe
Making homemade vanilla syrup is easier than you think! This vanilla simple syrup is made with just three ingredients; sugar, water, and real vanilla beans—creating a smooth and flavorful sweetener.
- Easy to Make & Store – This recipe comes together in minutes and stays fresh for weeks, making it a great coffee bar staple.
- Better Than Store-Bought – No artificial flavors or preservatives added to this syrup —just pure, homemade goodness with three simple ingredients.
- Rich & Aromatic Flavor – Made with real vanilla beans, this syrup adds a deep, warm, and sweet vanilla taste to any drink.
- Versatile & Customizable – Perfect for hot coffee, cold brew, lattes, teas, smoothies, and even cocktails or desserts!
If you love coffeehouse-style drinks like me, this homemade vanilla bean syrup is a must-have, trust me!
What to Serve with Vanilla Coffee Syrup
This homemade Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup isn’t just for coffee! Here are some delicious ways to use it:
- Lattes & Cappuccinos – Stir into hot or iced lattes for a smooth, sweet vanilla flavor. Like I did in my Vanilla Bean Latte recipe!
- Chai or Matcha Lattes – Enhances tea-based drinks with a hint of vanilla warmth.
- Pancakes & Waffles – Drizzle over buttermilk pancakes, waffles like red velvet cake waffles, or French toast instead of maple syrup.
- Oatmeal & Yogurt Bowls – Stir into warm oatmeal or Greek yogurt for natural sweetness. You can drizzle this syrup over oatmeal mug cake to enjoy or even in berry chia seed pudding for that extra sweet touch!
- Muffins & Breads – Use as a glaze over banana bread, banana blackberry oatmeal muffins, banana chocolate chunks muffins or cinnamon rolls.
- Cocktails & Mocktails – Use in espresso martinis, vanilla bourbon cocktails, or lemonades for a gourmet twist.
- Milkshakes & Smoothies – Blend it into vanilla or chocolate shakes for extra depth.
- Fruit Salads – A light drizzle enhances berries, peaches, or grilled pineapple.
- Ice Cream Topping – Pour over vanilla or caramel ice cream for a gourmet drizzle.
Ingredients
This simple 3-ingredient vanilla syrup recipe is easy to make and perfect for elevating coffee, lattes, and more!
- Water – The base for dissolving the sugar and creating a smooth syrup.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create the perfect syrup consistency.
- Vanilla bean – The star ingredient! Scrape out the vanilla seeds and add the whole pod for a deep, rich flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make vanilla syrup for coffee
If you're wondering how to make vanilla syrup, the process is simple: simmer the ingredients together, let the flavors infuse, and store it for weeks of delicious use. Below step-by-step instructions helps you for better understanding!
Vanilla bean seeds scraped from the pod.
In a saucepan add water, sugar and vanilla bean seeds along with the bean.
Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes on a medium heat.
Once cooled down transfer the vanilla bean syrup in a glass jar to store.
Whether you’re making a vanilla bean simple syrup for your morning brew or a sweet drizzle for pancakes, this recipe is a must-try!
Substitutions
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar is recommended for this recipe, but you can use brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor. For a natural sweetness, try maple syrup or honey, but keep in mind that the syrup will be slightly thinner compared to traditional simple syrup.
- Vanilla Bean: I highly recommend using good-quality vanilla beans for the best flavor. However, if you can’t find one, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste. If using vanilla extract, increase the amount to 2 tablespoons for a strong, rich vanilla taste.
Variations
- Brown Sugar Vanilla Syrup – Swap white sugar for brown sugar to create a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Honey Vanilla Syrup – Use honey instead of sugar for a naturally sweet twist.
- Maple Vanilla Syrup – Add pure maple syrup for a warm, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with coffee and lattes.
- Cinnamon Vanilla Syrup – Stir in ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or add a cinnamon stick while simmering for a cozy spiced touch.
- Lavender Vanilla Syrup – Infuse the syrup with dried lavender flowers for a floral, aromatic boost.
- Salted Caramel Vanilla Syrup – Mix in a pinch of sea salt and a drizzle of caramel for a sweet-savory combination.
These fun variations make this homemade vanilla bean syrup even more versatile, perfect for coffee, lattes, teas, and desserts!
Equipment
- Saucepan - To make the syrup.
- Sharp Knife – For slicing and scraping the vanilla bean seeds.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Glass Jar or Bottle – A sterilized container with a tight lid for storing the syrup and keeping it fresh.
Storage
Refrigeration: Store the vanilla bean syrup in an airtight glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Sterilized Container for Longer Shelf Life: If stored in a sterilized glass bottle, the syrup may last up to 1 month in the fridge.
Freezing Option: If you want to keep it for longer, freeze the syrup in small ice cube trays and thaw as needed.
Top Tips for Making the Best Vanilla Bean Syrup
- For the best flavor, choose plump, aromatic vanilla beans instead of dried-out ones. Madagascar, Tahitian, or Mexican vanilla beans work best. I have used madagascar vanilla bean for this recipe.
- Heat the syrup gently over medium-low heat to extract the best flavor without burning the sugar. A slow simmer for 5-7 minutes is ideal.
- Avoid grainy syrup by stirring continuously until the sugar completely melts. This step is crucial to get the smooth syrupy consistency.
- If you prefer a clearer syrup, strain out the vanilla bean pieces using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth before storing.
- Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract after removing from heat boosts the flavor even more! But I didn't do it in this recipe since the vanilla bean I used was so aromatic!
FAQ
Ofcourse you can! If you don’t have vanilla beans, substitute 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. However, vanilla beans provide a richer, deeper flavor compared to extract.
If it is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks. If stored in a sterilized glass bottle, it may last up to a month.
Absolutely! Brown sugar adds a caramel-like depth to the syrup, making it even richer in flavor.
This happens when the sugar isn’t fully dissolved. Make sure to stir constantly over medium-low heat until the sugar is completely melted. Remove the inner side of the saucepan with the help of a spoon constantly.
Yes you can! Freeze it in a small portions using an ice cube tray, then thaw as needed.
This recipe is already dairy-free! For a keto-friendly version, replace sugar with a low-carb sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol.
Vanilla syrup is sweetened and used as a flavor-enhancing syrup, while vanilla extract is a pure flavoring agent without added sugar. If replacing one with the other, you’ll need to adjust for sweetness.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Vanilla bean coffee syrup recipe:
Vanilla Bean Coffee Syrup
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharpe knife
- Mason jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped
Instructions
- Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a knife.
- In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and the whole pod. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vanilla bean to release its deep flavor. The syrup starts to thicken a bit.
- Remove from heat, discard the vanilla pod. Let the syrup cool, then transfer it to a sealed bottle or jar.
Notes
- Keep the vanilla bean coffee syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Over time, natural vanilla particles may settle at the bottom, so give it a quick shake before adding it to your coffee or desserts.
- Always use a clean, dry spoon to prevent contamination and extend freshness!
Sophie Taylor says
This sounds amazing! I usually buy store-bought vanilla syrup, but I’m excited to try making it at home. How long does it typically last in the fridge?
Abi Guna says
Hello Sophie, you will love the homemade version for sure!This homemade vanilla syrup stays good for 2 weeks in fridge, if the container is sterlized the syrup may last up to 1 month in the fridge. Happy Coooking!
Abi Guna says
I love this homemade vanilla syrup! It’s sweet, smooth, and full of real vanilla flavor. It makes my coffee and lattes taste amazing, and it’s way better than store-bought syrup. Plus, it’s super easy to make with just three ingredients! I even drizzle it over pancakes and mix it into iced tea. If you love sweet drinks, you have to try this!