Homemade Vanilla Simple Syrup

Homemade vanilla simple syrup is super easy to make and will take your favorite drinks and desserts to the next level. With just 3 simple ingredients you can create a rich vanilla syrup that keeps in the fridge for up to a month. And just like my DIY vanilla sugar, this flavored syrup makes a great gift for any coffee lover or cocktail enthusiast in your life!

Ingredients and substitutions

1. Sugar: White sugar works best but you can also experiment with organic cane sugar for a richer taste.
2. Water: Use filtered water for the best taste.
3. Vanilla: I love to use whole fresh vanilla beans from Madagascar for a rich flavor and visual appeal in the syrup but you can also use 2 tsp of vanilla paste or vanilla extract with seeds if needed.

10 types of vanilla beans

The fresh vanilla bean is the star of this recipe of course. Did you know that vanilla aromas and flavors surprisingly vary depending on the quality and origin of the vanilla beans you buy?

Here is an overview of the most popular types of vanilla beans based on their origin and flavor profiles, so you can choose the vanilla that’s right for you.

1. Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans (I typically use this one): Among the most well-known and widely used, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans are prized for their classic and creamy flavor with sweet, caramel-like notes.
2. Indonesian Vanilla Beans: Indonesia produces vanilla beans with a unique and complex flavor profile. They often feature a combination of sweet, creamy, and smoky characteristics, making them versatile for sweet and savory dishes.
3. Comoros Vanilla Beans: Comoros Islands is located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the southeastern coast of Africa. Comoros vanilla beans have a creamy and sweet flavor with hints of cherry and anise. They are prized for their high vanillin content.
4. Papua New Guinean Vanilla Beans: These beans offer a bold and full-bodied flavor with earthy and woody undertones.
5. Hawaiian Vanilla Beans: Grown in the lush Hawaiian climate, these vanilla beans offer a delicate and floral aroma with fruity undertones. They are known for their smooth, mellow flavor profile, often with hints of cherry and prune.
6. Mexican Vanilla Beans: Mexican vanilla beans have a reputation for their bold and robust flavor, often accompanied by a smoky and spicy profile.
7. Tahitian Vanilla Beans: Hailing from the South Pacific, French Polynesian vanilla beans are distinct for their floral and fruity fragrance, with hints of cherry, anise, and even licorice.
8. Ugandan Vanilla Beans: These beans have a similar flavor profile to Madagascar beans, with a creamy and sweet taste. Ugandan vanilla is known for its quality and is becoming increasingly recognized in the gourmet world.
9. Tongan Vanilla Beans: Tonga is a Polynesian archipelago of over 170 islands in the South Pacific. Tongan vanilla is prized for its bold, rich flavor profile characterized by intense notes of red wine, cherries, and figs.
10. Indian Pompona Vanilla Beans: Also referred to as “West Indian Vanilla,” pompona vanilla beans originate from the Caribbean. They are typically shorter and plumper than other varieties, offering a distinctive aroma and flavor with fruity and spicy notes.

Flavored simple syrup (step-by-step)

Step 1: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan.

Step 2: On medium heat, dissolve the sugar while stirring for about 5 minutes to make a simple syrup.

Step 3: Cut the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds.

Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the vanilla seeds and bean cut in half to the simple syrup. Once fully cooled, transfer the vanilla syrup to an airtight container.