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This candy cane simple syrup recipe is a great way to add a dose of holiday cheer to your drinks all winter long, no matter what you’re celebrating! It’s so easy to make and only has TWO ingredients: candy canes and water!

A bottle of candy cane simple syrup sits on a dish on a countertop surrounded by Christmas decor and crushed candy cane pieces.

With over 10 years of experience creating homemade beverages, I have come up with some pretty fun ways to enjoy seasonal drinks at home. This cheerful syrup was inspired by my peppermint espresso martini. I wanted to create a flavor that tasted like a candy cane had been infused into an espresso martini. This here syrup did the trick, and it’s also perfect for so many more drinks, including a candy cane latte and homemade cane cane soda pop!

why this candy cane simple syrup recipe works:

🎄 fun & festive. If you are a fan of peppermint during the holiday season, this simple syrup will be your new favorite thing. It mixes easily into both hot and cold drinks, turning anything you can think of into a fun candy cane beverage.

🥳 party perfect. Hosting relatives? Having a slumber party? Throwing a holiday party? This simple syrup is a fun and easy way to WOW your guests, no matter the occasion!

⏱️ quick & easy. This recipe has only two ingredients and is ready to use in a matter of minutes. You can even quickly cool it, if you need to! Not to mention, it’s a great recipe to make with kids in the kitchen.

🛒 ingredients

The ingredients used to make a candy cane simple syrup sit on a wooden cutting board on a red countertop. The ingredients are labeled.
  • candy canes – candy canes serve a dual purpose in this easy recipe: they have the minty flavor we need, and they sweeten the syrup. Make sure your candy canes are peppermint flavored to get the classic candy cane taste— seriously, there are some interesting flavors out there today on the market. 🧐 Check the substitutions and variations section of this post for alternatives to candy canes if you can’t find them!
  • filtered water – use pure filtered water in this recipe to make sure the minty flavor is front and center!

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🍳 make your syrup like a pro

Candy canes that have been unwrapped are in a ziplock bag being smashed with a rolling pin.

Step 1: Unwrap 15 candy canes and place them in a zip top bag. Using a rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or wooden spoon, smash your candy canes into pieces. This is a VERY useful way to get out some holiday stress. 😂 

A hand from out of frame pours water into a small saucepan.

Step 2: In a small saucepan, heat water over medium heat.

Adding in candy cane pieces to the warmed water in a saucepan.

Step 3: When the water is bubbling, add in the candy cane pieces.

A hand from out frame stirs candy cane simple syrup with a spatula.

Step 4: Stir the candy pieces until they dissolve. You may need to lower the heat to medium-low.

Pouring cooled candy cane syrup from the saucepan to a measuring glass.

Step 5: When the candy has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the mix to cool. You may want to pour it into a measuring cup for easier transfer to a storage bottle.

Pouring candy cane syrup into a storage bottle for storage.

Step 6: Store your finished syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for longer term storage.

A "glob" of melted candy canes has formed in a syrup.

Note: The candy canes may form a “glob” when dissolving. This is normal, just keep stirring and allow it to dissolve. If you are in a hurry, you can remove the blob of melted candy. Just be aware your final syrup may not be as sweet or minty depending how much of the candy you remove.

Crushed candy cane pieces are in a measuring cup.

Hint: On average, a whole regular-sized candy cane weighs about 13.5 grams. Yup, I checked (and cross-checked) for you. 🤪 Use 200 grams of candy canes for the best flavor of this syrup!

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

While you will see a LOT of bloggers out there telling you that you can use simple syrups on food like pancakes, it’s actually best to use these syrups in beverages. This syrup is very thin in consistency, so it is intended to sweeten drinks or maaaybe to keep baked goods moist. The syrup gets absorbed very quickly instead of coating the top of foods like thicker syrup does.

cocktails

Use this syrup in any cocktail recipe that calls for classic simple syrup for an easy way to add seasonal flavor to your beverages. Try one of the following recipes:

  • peppermint espresso martini – if you like peppermint in your coffee, you’ll love this seasonal variation of espresso martinis!
  • candy cane mojito – swap out the mint leaves for this candy cane syrup in a classic mojito recipe for a seasonal take on this rum-based cocktail!
  • candy cane martini – vodka + this syrup = a classic martini that is perfect for any party during the holidays! It’s especially stunning served in a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy canes!
non-alcoholic beverages

This syrup is also great for making peppermint mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks! It’s even special stirred into hot chocolate! Here are some ideas to get you going:

  • candy cane soda pop – this soda pop is super fun and perfect for all ages!
  • candy cane latte – this sweet syrup goes perfectly with both coffee and tea! Try making a latte using espresso or your favorite cuppa breakfast blend tea!
  • peppermint white Russian mocktail – try this syrup in a virgin white russian cocktail for a seasonal variation on a timeless zero-proof drink!
Cooking, baking, & gifting
  • gifting – Make a double or triple batch and gift it to family and friends in glass bottles. For an adorable touch, tie a mini-candy cane to the neck of the bottle! You can also gift this syrup in small mason jars.
  • baking – Brush this simple syrup over layer cakes or cupcakes! It would pair perfectly with a classic chocolate cake with vanilla frosting!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

This recipe is only two ingredients, but it’s still possible to have some mishaps! Try these troubleshooting tips if you run into any issues with your syrup.

  • too thin – if your syrup is too watery, allow it to simmer for longer so a bit more water evaporates. Keep in mind, it will thicken slightly as it cools.
  • not enough peppermint flavor – if you want MORE peppermint flavor, you can use up to 24 candy canes! Keep in mind, your syrup will be much sweeter if you use more candy canes.
  • too sweet – is your syrup overpoweringly sweet? Try adding a small pinch of salt, about 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon, to offset the sugar in the candy. You can also add more water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the flavor mellows out.

🔆 top tip

While you don’t need to break up your candy canes, it does help them to dissolve quicker in the hot water. Opening candy canes is also the perfect step for kids in the kitchen, because it’s helpful if the candy canes break while opening them!

♻️ customize your candy cane syrup

Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!

  • starlight mints – if you want to make this syrup during a time of year when candy canes are hard to come by, you can use starlight mints instead! You’ll want to use between 160 – 200 grams of mints to get the same minty-sweet flavor!
  • peppermint extract & red food coloring – while this is not my preferred method, you can use peppermint extract and food coloring to make this simple syrup. You’ll also need to add 200 grams of sugar to the recipe (1 cup). Make sure to start small with peppermint extract— a little goes a VERY LONG way. Too much extract can lead to an artificial flavor in your finished syrup, or make it bitter. Try using 1/8 – 1/4 tsp and increasing it as needed.
  • wintergreen candy canes – you can use the green candy canes instead of red ones! This will make a green syrup instead of a red one, which could be fun for Grinch themed drinks!
  • add vanilla – use 1/2 to 1 whole vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract) to make a vanilla-mint flavored syrup!

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

  • small saucepan – my go-to pan for making simple syrups is a 1.5-quart saucepan from All-Clad. It has a heavy base for even heating and it is made of non-reactive metal.
  • airtight storage container – I love storing my simple syrups in these OXO squeeze bottles (affiliate link) because they can even be stored in the freezer! If you want to gift small bottles of your own syrups, I love using glass bottles from Bormioli Rocco.
  • heat-safe glass measuring cups – if you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’ll likely need some measuring cups. I love my Anchor Hocking glass measuring cup set because they can tolerate the quick temperature changes that happen when I’m making simple syrups. I also love my set of measuring cups from King Arthur Baking because they are sturdy, nest well, and include any size you’ll ever need!
  • spoon or spatula – I love using GIR co silicone utensils in the kitchen. They are great because they don’t absorb flavors, which is important when working with potent flavors like peppermint.
  • kitchen scale – in baking and pastry school, I learned the importance of measuring your ingredients. Since then, I’ve used my kitchen scale every time I cook in the kitchen! Measuring by weight is much more precise than measuring by volume, which is important in ensuring consistent results.

🫙 how to store your homemade syrups

Store your finished syrup in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. You can also freeze your simple syrup for longer term storage.

💬 q+a

How do you melt peppermint candy into liquid?

It’s as easy as dissolving the candy in hot water! Breaking the candy canes apart helps them to dissolve faster, so take the time to crack them into a few pieces, or place them in a zip-top bag to smash them!

Do I need to add sugar to this candy cane simple syrup recipe?

Nope! The candy canes serve as the peppermint flavor AND the sugar in this recipe, so you don’t need to add any additional sugar.

Can I use just one box of candy canes?

If you only want to use 12 candy canes (1 box of them!) you can. Drop the water content to 3/4 of a cup instead of a full cup to achieve the right flavor.

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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A bottle of candy cane simple syrup sits on a dish on a countertop surrounded by Christmas decor and crushed candy cane pieces.

Candy Cane Simple Syrup (Peppermint Syrup Recipe)

This cheery and delicious syrup tastes like liquified candy canes…because it is! It's perfect for adding seasonal peppermint flavor to all of your favorite beverages!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Beverages, Simple Syrup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy cane, peppermint, simple syrup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 ounces
Calories: 68kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 airtight storage container
  • 1 1.5-quart saucepan
  • 1 spatula silicone recommended
  • 1 heat resistant glass measuring cup
  • 1 zip top bag optional, for crushing candy canes
  • 1 rolling pin or mallet optional, for crushing candy canes

Ingredients

  • 200 grams candy canes about 15 regular-sized candy canes
  • 354 grams filtered water

Instructions

  • Unwrap 15 candy canes and place them in a zip top bag to crush them.
  • Using a rolling pin, meat tenderizer, or wooden spoon, smash your candy canes into pieces. This is a VERY useful way to get out some holiday stress. 😂
  • In a small saucepan, heat 354 grams of water over medium heat (1.5 cups).
  • When the water is bubbling, add in the candy cane pieces and stir them until they dissolve. You may need to lower the heat to medium-low.
  • When the candy has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the mix to cool.
  • Store your finished syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for longer term storage.

Notes

While you don’t need to break up your candy canes, it does help them to dissolve quicker in the hot water. Opening candy canes is also the perfect step for kids in the kitchen, because it’s helpful if the candy canes break while opening them!

Nutrition Information

Servings: 12 ounces
Calories: 1mg
Total Fat: 1mg
Saturated Fat: 1mg
Trans Fat: 1mg
Cholesterol: 1mg
Sodium: 1mg
Carbohydrates: 1mg
Fiber: 1mg
Sugar: 1mg
Protein: 1mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

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