Name: Peppermint Simple Syrup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ cup peppermint candies (or broken candy canes); 1 cup water

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Here’s an easy recipe to make homemade Peppermint Simple Syrup using peppermint candies or candy canes. This sweet, minty syrup is a delicious way to add festive flavor to coffee, tea, cocktails, mocktails, and desserts.

The pretty pink color makes it a beautiful syrup and it’s a great way to use up leftover peppermint starlight candies or candy canes after the holidays. With bold peppermint flavor without needing extract, this syrup is a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought versions, and it tastes so much better. This recipe also answers the question, “What to do with leftover candy canes?”.

a small glass jar filled with pink peppermint simple syrup and a couple of candy canes next to it. — And, yes, the color reminds me of Pepto-Bismol but it not only tastes so much better, but when you mix it in drinks, it’s quite beautiful!

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How to make

three images of making peppermint syrup. — Measure out the candies – you don’t even have to break them up. But, if you have some broken parts, feel free to toss those in as well. You basically need 1 part candy to 2 parts water.

This recipe is super easy, and I created it to help you use up some of those candies after the holidays. Simply place the candies (you don’t even need to break them up) in a small saucepan with the water.

Heat over low to medium-low heat until the candies have dissolved, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes. Stirring constantly will help keep the candies from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If you do get some that stick and don’t want to dissolve, just soak the pan in hot water in the sink after you’re done making the syrup and clean-up will go easily.

Remove from heat. If you have any candy solids, strain them from the syrup.

Syrup can be used hot, or let cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

spearmint candies made into syrup. — I experimented with the green spearmint candies as well, and thought I’d report back on them. Though they work just like the peppermint candies, the resulting syrup tastes just like toothpaste. Feel free to make it, but I don’t recommend it. Though it is a pretty color!
It actually makes me think that you could probably do this with any hard candy – lemon drops, cinnamon red hots, Werther’s caramels, etc.

Peppermint syrup uses

This sweet minty dessert syrup is delicious in iced lattes, hot coffee lattes, hot chocolate, tea, and so much more. Here are some ideas to start you off.

a peppermint latte with cold foam and peppermint candies on top.

Peppermint latte: 2 tablespoons peppermint simple syrup (more or less to taste), 1 cup strong brewed coffee, 1/3 cup milk of choice. Serve hot or over ice. Top with whipped cream or cold foam for a luscious divine experience. Want a peppermint mocha? Simply add some chocolate syrup.

Drinks: It’s great in mocktails and cocktails. Try making a homemade peppermint ‘tini with it and some non-alcoholic vodka. Add it to black tea. It would be a festive addition to an espresso martini or a peppermint white Russian. Use the syrup for hot chocolate or hot cocoa. It makes a great peppermint mocha.

a peppermint mocktail drink over ice with a garnish of fresh mint. — The syrup is a great addition to plain sparkling water for a festive drink. You could also add a little vodka to make a cocktail.

Oh, and I love mixing a tablespoon or 2 with club soda or sparkling water for a simple festive bubbly drink.

Desserts: Drizzle some over vanilla ice cream or add some to cake for a great winter dessert.

Add some to cream for peppermint whipped cream.

It makes a handmade great gift.

Peppermint can help ease an upset stomach. It also aids digestion, easing gas and bloating, can help clear sinuses, and can help ease headaches.

How much to use

The amount of syrup will depend on your personal taste, and what you’re adding it too. Start with a small amount, taste it, then add more if desired. You can always add more, but if you add too much, you can’t take it back.

In general, I start with 1 tablespoon per drink, working my way up by the tablespoon. For coffee drinks I find that I like 2-3 tablespoons in an iced peppermint coffee (and I think the drink benefits greatly from some creamy milk or cream). I like 2 tablespoons syrup to one can club soda.

For desserts, drizzling and brushing a small amount on the dessert is the way to go.

Storage

Store this simple syrup in an airtight container like a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid the fridge for up to one month. You could also store it in one of these cute syrup dispensers (which would make a great gift).

Simple syrup can be frozen into ice cubes in an ice cube tray, a festive silicone mold or simple silicone mini muffin cups. Then store the cubes in a freezer safe zip top bag.

How long does it last?

It should last up to a month in the fridge in an airtight container. Always be sure to check it for signs of spoilage: give it the sniff test, and check to make sure it doesn’t have any off odors or signs of mold.

Is peppermint syrup the same as peppermint extract?

No, peppermint syrup and peppermint extract are not the same. Extract is a concentrated flavor made from mint oil and alcohol, and is used in small amounts for baking. Peppermint syrup is a sweetened liquid for drinks & desserts. Syrup has a milder, sweeter flavor.

You can substitute syrup for extract (use much more syrup) or vice versa (use tiny bit of extract), but sweetness and concentration will differ significantly.

Festive recipes

Looking for more fun holiday recipes? For simple syrups, try my Cinnamon Dolce Latte Syrup, Ginger simple syrup, Cardamom syrup, and Cinnamon Simple Syrup.

If you like peppermint, you’ll love my Peppermint Caramels, Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats, and Homemade York Peppermint Patties.

a black cat looking at peppermint drinks. — My sweet little monster looking at my creations. It’s funny, cats aren’t supposed to like peppermint, but she always has been interested in it.

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looking down into a jar of peppermint syrup with winter decorations around the jar. — don’t forget to pin this recipe!

Recipe

Peppermint Simple Syrup

Debi

Here’s how to make homemade Peppermint Simple Syrup using peppermint candies or candy canes. It’s an easy recipe that uses just a few common ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. This sweet, minty syrup is a delicious way to add festive flavor to coffee, tea, cocktails, mocktails, and desserts.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings tablespoons

Calories 17 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup peppermint candies or broken candy canes
1 cup water

Instructions

Add the water and peppermint candies to a small saucepan. Heat over low to medium-low heat until the candies have dissolved, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat. If you have any candy solids, strain them from the syrup. Syrup can be used hot, or let cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

This recipe can be doubled or halved as desired. Use the calculator or the servings slider on the recipe to do the calculations for you. Or, just use 1 part candies to 2 parts water.

The recipe makes about 1 & 1/4 cups of syrup, or 20 tablespoons worth.

Peppermint latte: 2 tablespoons peppermint simple syrup (more or less to taste), 1 cup strong brewed coffee, 1/3 cup milk of choice. Serve hot or over ice. Top with whipped cream or cold foam for a luscious divine experience.

Want a peppermint mocha? Simply add some chocolate syrup.

I love mixing a tablespoon or 2 with club soda or sparkling water for a simple festive bubbly drink.

Store this simple syrup in an airtight container like a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid the fridge for up to one month.

Simple syrup can be frozen into ice cubes in an ice cube tray, then store the cubes in a freezer safe zip top bag.

Nutrition

Calories: 17kcalCarbohydrates: 4gSodium: 1mgSugar: 3gCalcium: 0.4mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword peppermint, simple syrup, syrup

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