Homemade Mint Simple Syrup for Cocktails and Lemonade

01 Oct 2026

An easy mint simple syrup recipe that eliminates the need to muddle fresh leaves for every cocktail or glass of lemonade.

Mint simple syrup solves the most annoying part of making mint cocktails at home - no more muddling fresh leaves into every single drink. Make a batch once and mint flavor is ready to go whenever you need it.

Mint Simple Syrup

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes, plus steeping | Makes: about 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed fresh mint leaves, roughly torn

Instructions

Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
Add the torn mint leaves and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
Let the mint steep in the syrup as it cools completely, at least 30 minutes for a solid mint flavor.
Once cooled, strain out the mint leaves and transfer the syrup to a clean, sealed jar or bottle.

Notes

This syrup keeps in the fridge for about 3 to 4 weeks. It's also a good candidate for freezing in an ice cube tray, similar to the method in our mint storage guide, giving you pre-portioned syrup ready to drop straight into a drink.

How to Use It

Cocktails: The base for mojitos and mint juleps - see our guide to both classic drinks for full recipes.
Lemonade: A tablespoon or two stirred into fresh lemonade adds a cool, herbal edge.
Iced tea: Works well stirred into black or green iced tea.
Sparkling water: A splash in plain sparkling water with a squeeze of lime makes a quick, refreshing non-alcoholic drink.
Desserts: Drizzled over fresh fruit, particularly melon or berries.

Adjusting the Strength

For a milder syrup, strain the mint out after only 10 to 15 minutes of steeping. For a more intense mint flavor, let it steep for a couple of hours, or overnight in the fridge, before straining.

Variations

Mint-lime syrup: Add a few strips of lime peel along with the mint while simmering.
Different mint: Chocolate mint makes an interesting variation for dessert applications specifically.
Honey version: Substitute honey for half the sugar, adding it off the heat once the water has cooled slightly to preserve more of its flavor.

This is one of the most useful things to keep in the fridge if mint cocktails or drinks are a regular thing in your house. For more, see the complete mint guide.