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A homemade mint simple syrup recipe with real mint leaves, granulated sugar, and water. Ideal for sweetening cocktails, tea, and coffee while celebrating the abundance of mint from your summer herb garden!

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Why Make This Mint Simple Syrup Recipe?

I’ve lived most of my adult life in big cities, often without much in the way of outdoor space. But even in apartments with no balcony, terrace, or garden plot access, I always make room for a windowsill herb garden. Throughout the summer (and all year long, if I’m lucky!) I can reach for my kitchen shears to snip leaves of basil for pesto, pizza, and pudding; rosemary for focaccia, shortbread, and caramels; parsley for soups and dips; sprigs of thyme to garnish hand pies or add fragrance to a stovetop simmer pot. And of course, plenty of fresh mint leaves for making salads, whoopie pies, and homemade simple syrup.

fresh mint growing in an herb garden — Fresh mint in my parents’ herb garden

If you plant an outdoor herb garden, you almost certainly have access to plenty of fresh mint. Mint is highly invasive, and will quickly envelop your entire garden space. Martha Stewart says to skip it altogether, but I truly don’t mind. I love incorporating fresh mint into recipes, garnishing summer dishes, or popping a handful of fresh leaves into my trusty Nalgene water bottle or a big, icy glass of unflavored sparkling water.

In this three-ingredient recipe, I’ve simmered fresh mint leaves with water and granulated sugar to make a natural, mint-flavored syrup. It’s perfect for sweetening beverages (hot and cold, alcoholic and otherwise!) and brushing on baked goods as a soaking syrup. I also like to toss this mint syrup with fruit, or drizzle it over roasted carrots for a savory-sweet side.

Ingredients for Making Homemade Mint Simple Syrup

To make homemade mint simple syrup, you’ll need:

Granulated Sugar – I make my syrups with granulated sugar; caster sugar will also work.
Fresh Mint Leaves – I like to make this recipe in the summer, using fresh mint leaves from my herb garden. However, you can just as easily make simple syrup with a bunch of mint purchased from the supermarket or greenmarket.
Water – For simmering the leaves and sugar.

mint syrup ingredients arranged on a marble surface — Ingredients for making homemade mint simple syrup

How to Make Mint Simple Syrup with Real Mint

How to Use Mint Simple Syrup

Stir mint simple syrup into beverages, both alcoholic (mojitos, juleps, margaritas) and non-alcoholic (lemonade, iced coffee, sparkling water). I also love to pair this syrup with homemade hot chocolate, or peppermint hot chocolate for an extra-minty drink. (Add peppermint marshmallows for a true mint lover’s dream!)

You can also use this simple syrup as a soaking syrup for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and other baked goods. Toss it into a fresh summer fruit salad, like my citrus salad or feta and watermelon salad. Or, drizzle over roasted carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes for a savory-sweet side dish.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Homemade mint simple syrup can be stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Other fresh mint recipes you might enjoy:

Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta, Peas, and Mint
Raspberry Mojito Whoopie Pies
Spring Simmer Pot with Lemon, Lavender, and Mint
Citrus Salad

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!