Easy Earl Grey Simple Syrup (for Cocktails and Mocktails)

I first started making simple syrups in baking and pastry school in 2009. Since then, I’ve had plenty of time to play around with flavor combinations. This Earl Grey Simple Syrup recipe combines everything you love about your favorite cuppa tea with the sweetening abilities of a homemade simple syrup.

I’ve been making drinks at home for over a decade, so I’m always on the lookout for delicious drinks I can recreate at home. This recipe was inspired by a cult classic: the Starbucks London Fog drink. It’s a tea-based latte with vanilla and milk.

I enjoyed the tea, but I thought it could have even MORE Earl Grey flavor if it were made with an Earl Grey infused syrup instead of a vanilla one. I love to use this tea-infused syrup in a variety of beverage recipes, like the London Fog Cocktail, which uses a vanilla-infused vodka and this syrup, an Earl Grey soda pop, and even Earl Grey Lemonade– a fun spin on the classic Arnold Palmer!

🛒 ingredients

• loose leaf earl grey tea – opt to use loose leaf earl grey tea if you can find it. The fresher, the better, because the flavor will be stronger. Tea that is bagged is still a good option, but think of it like the difference of using whole spices vs. ground spices. Bagged teas tend to be more mild in flavor, and it’s hard to tell how much tea is in each bag. Using loose leaf tea allows you to precisely measure the amount you’re using, while also getting a fuller flavor tea.
  
• granulated sugar – granulated sugar has a straightforward sweet flavor profile without any caramelized undertones that can come with less processed sugars or darker sugars. This makes it ideal for using in infused simple syrups.
  
• filtered water – filtered water is a necessary ingredient for any simple syrup AND any cup of tea. Make sure to use filtered water so you get the more pure taste without any added minerals or impurities. This ensures that the earl grey flavor is front and center in this syrup recipe.

🍳 instructions

Step 1: Pour water into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat until it’s lightly simmering.

Step 2: Add in granulated sugar to the pot. Stir it until it dissolves, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3: Once the sugar dissolves, add in the loose-leaf Earl Grey tea.

Step 4: Remove the pan from the heat and allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes. Add in lemon juice if you’re using it.

Step 5: Strain your cooled syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the tea leaves.

Step 6: If desired, double-strain your syrup to remove any tea particles using cheese cloth.

Step 7: Store your finished syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.

Step 8: Use your Earl Grey simple syrup in any of your favorite beverages to sweeten them and add the flavor of Earl Grey tea!

Hint: Homemade simple syrups are great recipes for beginner cooks and cooking with kids! They’re easy to customize and unlock a new level of creativity!

💡tips and tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

How and when to serve your earl grey simple syrup:

No matter what other bloggers tell you on the internet, simple syrups are best used in beverages because of their thin consistency. Sure, you can use them to top desserts or your morning pancakes, but it’s not the ideal use for homemade syrups. The truth is, because these syrups are so thin, they’ll quickly absorb into any porous foods (like pancakes) so you’ll need a lot of syrup to cover your food. Instead, check out the ways you can use this Earl Grey syrup below!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

Even though simple syrups are easy to make, things can go wrong! Try these troubleshooting tips if you run into issues making this syrup.

• too strong of a tea flavor – if the flavor of earl grey tea is too strong for you, you can add in more water and sugar to mellow the flavor out. You can also add in a bit of vanilla extract or lemon juice to balance the flavor out a little more.
  
• not enough tea flavor – if your syrup doesn’t have a strong enough flavor profile for your taste buds, you can return the syrup to a saucepan and add in more looseleaf tea. Steep it at a low simmer for up to 30 more minutes to infuse more tea flavor.

🔆 top tip

While you might be tempted to infuse your syrup for longer than 5 minutes, resist the urge! If you steep your syrup too long, the flavor can turn bitter. In order to intensify the flavor, add more tea instead of infusing it longer!

♻️ substitutions & variations

♻️ substitutions

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!

• honey – honey is also useful for making simple syrups! The type of honey you use will impact the flavor, because honey tends to have a stronger, more distinct taste than granulated sugar. It’s also a bit sweeter than granulated sugar, so be sure to reduce the amount of honey by at least 1/8th to 1/4. You can also use maple syrup if you only have that!
  
• other sugars – you can use another, less refined or darker sugar to make this syrup, like brown sugar or demerara sugar. Darker, less refined sugars will give this syrup a deeper more caramelized flavor.
  
• bagged tea – if you can’t find loose leaf earl grey tea, you can use bagged tea. Use 3-6 bags of tea, depending on the strength of the flavor you want. For a weaker flavor, use 3 bags of tea. For a stronger flavor, use 6 bags of tea.

🎛️ variations

Feeling like a rebel?! 😈 Feel free to stray from the recipe card using these variations, or leave me a comment with your own!

• citrus earl grey syrup – add in the juice and zest of a lemon to make a citrus earl grey syrup! You can also use oranges or even grapefruit to make a citrus syrup that plays up the flavor of bergamot in the tea!
  
• lavender earl grey syrup – add in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender to make a lavender earl grey syrup! Make sure to use culinary grade lavender, and start with less than you think you need. Lavender is a very strong flavor, so it can become overpowering quickly.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

🧰 tools needed

• 1.5 quart saucepan – you can use whatever saucepan you have on hand, I love this 1.5-quart saucepan from All-Clad. The heavy bottom ensures even heating throughout the cooking time!
  
• non-reactive mesh strainer a fine mesh strainer helps you to remove the loose leaf tea from the liquid after simmering the mixture. If you’re adding lemon juice, make sure to use a non-reactive metal, like stainless steel or enameled cast iron.
  
• measuring cups – if you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’ll likely need some measuring cups. I love using these glass measuring cups from Anchor Hocking because they can tolerate the quick temperature changes that happen when I’m making simple syrups. I also love this set of measuring cups from King Arthur Baking because they are sturdy, nest well, and include any size you’ll ever need!
  
• kitchen scale – using a kitchen scale has so many benefits, from being more precise to helping you do less dishes! If you use a scale, you can simply put everything right in the pot as you measure it, no need to dirty up a bunch of extra dishes! I have and love this OXO kitchen scale.
  
• airtight storage container – you can use any storage container you like, as long as its airtight. These OXO squeeze bottles are a favorite of mine for storing simple syrups because you can also stash them in the freezer. These glass bottles are great for gifting simple syrups to friends and family. You can also use a mason jar!

🫙 how to store your finished Earl Grey simple syrup

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

💬 q+a

What does earl grey tea taste like?

Earl Grey is a traditional English breakfast tea that is flavored with bergamot oil, which is a type of orange. It has an aromatic citrus flavor thanks to the essential oils from the citrus rind that is added to the black tea leaves.

Do I need to use loose leaf tea for this recipe?

Loose-leaf tea is stronger in flavor than bagged tea, so it is best to use loose-leaf tea in this recipe.

How can I use this simple syrup?

You can use this simple syrup in any of your beverages! It works well to sweeten hot drinks and cold beverages. It’s also perfect for imparting the flavor of Earl Grey tea into cocktails, mocktails, and more!