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    You are here: Home / Drink Recipes / Jalapeño Simple Syrup (+ How to Use It)

    Jalapeño Simple Syrup (+ How to Use It)

    Published Sep 22, 2021 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jalapeño simple syrup is the easiest way to spice up your cocktail game! It's sweet, lightly spiced and the perfect way to change up your routine if your drinks are getting a little bit boring.

    With only 4 ingredients and 15 minutes, you can enjoy delicious cocktails at home. The best part, this recipe takes less than 5 minutes of active time.

    The syrup around 4 jalapeño peppers
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • FAQs and Expert Tips
    • How to Use This Syrup
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Liked this post?

    Why This Recipe Works

    Everyone has tried the classic cocktails, and sometimes you just want to spice it up (😉) a bit! Jalapeño Simple Syrup is

    • Incredibly quick (ready in 30 minutes)!
    • Endlessly customizable
    • Only uses 4 ingredients

    I love dishes that are a little bit classic but a little bit modernized, see Elderflower Gin and Tonic, Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls, Matcha Banana Bread and Asparagus Ends Soup. There's something so freeing about taking a classic recipe and changing it just enough to keep it fun. This is one of those recipes!

    Ingredients

    Simple syrup is traditionally only 2 ingredients. Sugar and water. It's essentially dissolved sugar ready to step up your cocktails and caffeinated drinks with endless flavour possibilities. This simple syrup contains:

    Sugar. I like a mix of both white and brown sugar because they're accessible. Some recipes call for raw sugar, but truthfully, the mix of sugars is perfect. If you only have one, you can do white or brown sugar only. More brown sugar will make the drink taste more caramelized.

    Water. Any water will do here! No need for special store-bought waters that are distilled or purified. All tap water is good as long as you would feel comfortable drinking it.

    Jalapeños. Adjust the level of jalapeños as well as the cooking time to account for how spicy you want the syrup. The more jalapeños and the longer you steep the peppers, the spicier the concentrate will be.

    How to Make This Recipe

    1. Slice up your jalapeños. Set aside.

    2. In a small saucepan, add your water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

    3. Once boiling, add in your sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.

    4. Lower the heat to low and add in your sliced jalapeños and steep for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.

    5. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the jalapeños to steep in the syrup mixture for 10-15 minutes, testing every 5 minutes for the desired level of spiciness.

    6. Once the syrup is to your liking, drain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer.

    7. Store the syrup in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a month.

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    How do I make simple syrup less spicy?

    There's two ways to lessen the spice of the syrup. Either use less jalapeños, or steep the peppers in the sauce for less time.

    How do I make keto or sugar-free simple syrup?

    It's really easy to substitute the sugar 1:1 to make this sugar-free. Keep in mind, some sugar-free sweetness are sweeter than sugar. I recommend Monkfruit or Swerve as a 1:1 sweetener. You may have a hard time finding brown sugar - feel free to use all white.

    How to store simple syrup?

    The best way to store simple syrup is in the fridge. It will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.

    Can I freeze simple syrup?

    Yes! It's very easy to freeze. I personally like to free the syrup in ice cube trays and then remove them to a freezer bag. This way you only need to thaw small amounts at a time and not waste any.

    A close up shot of the jalapeño simple syrup

    The typical ratio of simple syrup is 1:1 for sugar to water. For this recipe, I like to use a 3:2 ratio for sugar to water. This ensures that the syrup will be sweet enough for the drinks without the drinks becoming too spicy to drink.

    I choose a blend of 1 part brown sugar to 2 parts white sugar for this simple syrup. The brown sugar gives the syrup a subtle caramel flavour that works incredibly well with the use of jalapeños.

    ZERO WASTE TIP! If you're a regular here, you know I hate food waste. If you feel bad like I do about throwing out the steeped jalapeños, take them and pickle them! I love this Quick Pickled Jalapeño recipe from Gimme Delicious! This recipe calls for 7-8 jalapeños, so just use 5 and supplement with the already steeped peppers here and halve the sugar.

    The finished simple syrup with 3 jalapenos on top

    How to Use This Syrup

    I'm a sucker for finding a cool new recipe that I want to try, making it, and then having absolutely no idea how to use it. Here are a few ways to spice up your routine (and they aren't all cocktails)!

    • Jalapeño Gin and Tonic (substitute Elderflower Liqueur for Jalapeño Syrup).
    • Jalapeño Lime Margarita (substitute agave nectar & jalapeños for the syrup).
    • Drizzle it over homemade buttered Corn Bread.
    • Use it on Chicken and Waffles instead of maple syrup.
    • Replace sugar in a Mojito with 1-2 tablespoons of the syrup.
    • Jalapeño Club Soda: Fill a glass with ice, pour over club soda & sweeten with 1-2 tablespoons syrup.
    • Spicy Lemonade: 1 cup of water, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of simple syrup.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Maple Curry Chicken Penne
    • Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
    • Elderflower Gin and Tonic
    • Authentic Arroz Caldo - The Best Filipino Comfort Food

    Have you tried this recipe? Leave me a 5 ⭐️ rating in the recipe card! I love to hear from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!

    📖 Recipe

    Jalapeno Simple Syrup

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Steeping Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 20 tablespoons
    Calories: 60kcal
    Author: Lauren

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Knife
    • Cutting Board

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup White Sugar
    • ½ cup Brown Sugar
    • 1 cup Water
    • 3 Jalapenos medium

    Instructions

    • Slice up your jalapeños. Set aside.
    •  In a small saucepan, add your water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Once boiling, add in your sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
    • Lower the heat to low and add in your sliced jalapeños and steep for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and allow the jalapeños to steep in the syrup mixture for 10-15 minutes, testing every 5 minutes for the desired level of spiciness.
    • Once the syrup is to your liking, drain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a month.

    Notes

    The typical ratio of simple syrup is 1:1 for sugar to water. For this recipe, I like to use a 3:2 ratio for sugar to water. This ensures that the syrup will be sweet enough for the drinks without the drinks becoming too spicy to enjoy.
    I choose a blend of 1 part brown sugar to 2 parts white sugar for this simple syrup. The brown sugar gives the syrup a subtle caramel flavour that works incredibly well with the use of jalapeños.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @MaritimeGlutton or tag #maritimeglutton!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen Wood

      September 24, 2021 at 11:24 pm

      5 stars
      We just made this and it was AMAZING! Thank you for the fabulous recipe. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 24, 2021 at 11:31 pm

        So glad you liked it, Kristen!

        Reply
    2. Denay DeGuzman

      September 25, 2021 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      I used this syrup to make spicy lemonade! It was flavorful and delicious.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 25, 2021 at 8:35 am

        One of my favourite uses! Glad you liked it Denay!

        Reply
    3. Sharon

      September 25, 2021 at 12:39 am

      5 stars
      Cocktails have been giving a spicy and sweet upgrade with this delicious jalapeno simple syrup.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 25, 2021 at 8:35 am

        So glad you liked it, Sharon! Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sumit

      September 25, 2021 at 3:54 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous recipe. This will make cocktails divine and even more inviting. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 25, 2021 at 8:35 am

        Thank you so much, Sumit!

        Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo

      September 25, 2021 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      We love spicy and this syrup is brilliant for so many recipes thanks!

      Reply

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    Welcome to Maritime Glutton, I'm Lauren and I'm the face creating recipes around here. I'm passionate about supporting local, eating great food and finding new ways to cut back on food waste and save money. Learn more about me here.

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