If you’re addicted to flavoured coffee, love an iced drink or just fancy trying something a bit different, then this homemade vanilla syrup is for you. In addition to adding it to coffee to make an indulgent drink, you can also use it in dessert sauces, poured over ice cream or as a cooking ingredient. It’s simple to make, and uses fresh vanilla for a rich, luxurious taste. Find fresh vanilla pods at some supermarkets, in delicatessens or online.
Ingredients
450g white granulated sugar
240ml water
one vanilla bean, split along the length and with the seeds scraped out
two teaspoons good quality vanilla extract
Put the sugar, water and vanilla into a heavy-based saucepan, and turn the hob to a medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar is completely melted, then bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, being careful not to touch the contents which will be extremely hot. Let the pan sit for one to two hours then stir in the vanilla extract.
While the syrup is cooling and thickening, sterilise a small jam jar or glass bottle by boiling it in a large pan. Allow the jar to cool, then sieve the syrup to remove the vanilla pod and any pieces, and pour it in to the container. Once it’s completely cool, store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
To use the syrup, add a shot to hot coffee, or create an iced coffee by combining an espresso shot, milk, crushed ice and syrup to taste.
If you’d like to keep a bottle of vanilla syrup on stand by in your kitchen but don’t have time to make it yourself, then browse our range of top quality readymade syrups on the Coffee Ingredients page of our website. A one litre bottle of syrup is only £7.29, and we have a range of flavours to choose from including vanilla.
