Homemade Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes and Drinks

Nothing beats the sweet, fruity taste of homemade Strawberry Syrup. It’s bursting with fresh berry flavor and has just the right touch of sweetness. Perfect for pouring over pancakes, waffles, and even making strawberry milk with it.

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

There’s just something special about making your own strawberry syrup at home.

Every time I make a batch of this strawberry syrup, it fills the kitchen with the sweetest berry aroma.

Pour it warm over a stack of pancakes or drizzle it on French toast, and it’s always a hit with my family.

It also makes the perfect topping for ice cream or a sweet stir-in for iced tea on a hot day.

And the kids? Their favorite way to enjoy it is mixing a spoonful into cold milk for pink strawberry milk that tastes just as good as it looks.

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Syrup

• Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Since it’s made with real strawberries, it has a real fruity flavor you can’t get from store-bought versions.
• Basic Ingredients: Just fresh fruit, sugar, and water with no extra additives.
• Great Way to Use Seasonal Strawberries: When berries are at the peak of strawberry season, this is the easiest way to enjoy them all year long.
• Reduces Food Waste: You can save the strawberry pieces after straining and use them as a topping for angel food cake, pound cake, or yogurt.

Ingredients for Strawberry Syrup

• Fresh Strawberries: Use sliced strawberries for the best sweet strawberry flavor.
• Sugar: Just plain white sugar helps to create a sweet syrup.
• Water: Water to dissolve the sugar and create a syrup with the strawberries.

Equipment Needed for Strawberry Syrup

• Saucepan: You’ll want a medium saucepan (or even a large saucepan if doubling the recipe) to simmer the strawberry mixture.
• Whisk: A whisk helps stir the strawberry chunks and sugar together while they cook.
• Fine Mesh Strainer and Cheesecloth: These tools help you strain out the strawberry pieces once it is done cooking.
• Mason Jar: For storing your strawberry syrup.

How to Make Strawberry Syrup

Add Ingredients to Saucepan: Place your sliced fresh strawberries, sugar, and a little water into a medium saucepan.

Bring to a Boil: Turn your stove to medium-high heat and let the mixture come to a rolling boil. Once it’s bubbling good, lower the heat so it doesn’t burn.

Simmer Slowly: Let it simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes. This helps the berries release their strawberry flavor while the sugar dissolves into the syrup.

Strain the Syrup: Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, lining it with cheesecloth. Carefully pour the mixture through to separate the syrup from the strawberry pieces.

Cool and Store: Let your syrup cool down to room temperature. Then pour it into a clean mason jar.

Serve and Enjoy: Drizzle your fresh strawberry syrup over pancakes, waffles, French toast, or homemade vanilla ice cream. It’s also a great way to sweeten iced teas, lemonade, or to make strawberry milk with.

Recipe Tips

• Keep the heat at a gentle simmer so the syrup doesn’t burn.
• For a thicker syrup, let it cook a few extra minutes.
• Freeze extra syrup in an ice cube tray for easy, single-serve portions later.

Ways to Serve Strawberry Syrup

• Drizzle over Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes, waffles, or French toast instead of maple syrup.
• Spoon on top of homemade vanilla ice cream or strawberry ice cream.
• Stir into your favorite drinks. This syrup is great in iced teas, milk, or make your own strawberry lemonade for a sweet summer treat.
• Mix into yogurt or oatmeal for a burst of fresh strawberry flavor.
• Use as a glaze for angel food cake or cheesecake.

How to Store Leftovers

Once your fresh strawberry syrup has cooled to room temperature, pour it into a clean mason jar or any airtight container.

Keep it in the fridge, and it’ll stay good for about a week or two. If you’ve made extra, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container or even an ice cube tray for easy portions to thaw for later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make strawberry syrup with less sugar?

Yes! You can reduce the amount of sugar for a lighter taste. Just know it may not be as thick or sweet as traditional versions, but it’s still delicious.

Do I have to strain the strawberries out?

Nope, that’s up to you. Straining with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth gives you a smooth, pourable syrup. If you leave the fruit in, you’ll have more of a chunky strawberry sauce.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Frozen berries work just fine when fresh ones aren’t in season. Just make sure to thaw them first.

More Homemade Syrup and Sauce Recipes

• Homemade Chocolate Syrup
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• Easy Homemade Pancake Syrup