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This kiwi simple syrup is perfect for incorporating the flavor of kiwis into cocktails, mocktails, and more! It’s made from REAL kiwi fruits infused into a classic simple syrup.

a bottle of kiwi simple syrup sits on a small wooden pedestal in front of a bowl of kiwi fruits and lemon. pieces of kiwi fruit are scattered on the countertop in the foreground and backgroumd.

I’ve been making homemade simple syrups since I went to baking and pastry school in 2010, though nowadays, I mainly use them for making homemade beverages. Syrups mix up perfectly into any liquid, hot or cold, so they’re perfect for adding unique flavors to any drink.

The sweet, lush, almost berry-melon-like flavor of kiwis works perfectly in so many drinks, especially tropical ones (eeeeven though kiwi is most definitely an autumn and winter fruit!). Use this kiwi syrup to make a batch of kiwi mojitos, your own homemade kiwi soda pop, or kiwi lemonade!

why this kiwi syrup recipe works:

🥝 sweet & seasonal. Using fresh fruit to infuse this syrup means you’re getting peak-season kiwi flavors straight from the source: nothing artificial here!

🙌 easy peasy. This is a great recipe to make as a newbie cook, and it’s so fun to make with kids! The hardest part is peeling the kiwi!

🤌 unique & unexpected. Imagine the look on your friends and family’s faces when you tell them that you’re serving drinks with homemade kiwi syrup!

🛒 ingredients

  • kiwis – Kiwi fruits are available year-round, but the peak season for kiwi grown in the United States is October through May. They have a fuzzy, brown exterior but inside they are bright, almost neon green, and filled with tiny black seeds. Choose fruits that yield slightly to pressure— if they are hard, they are not yet ripe. If they are wrinkly or soft, they are overripe.
  • granulated sugar – regular granulated sugar is perfect for simple syrups, though you can definitely swap out the sugar for your favorite sweetener of choice. Keep in mind, using a natural sugar or darker sugar will impact the flavor of the finished syrup, so sticking with white sugar is recommended.
  • filtered water – filtered water works best for simple syrups since the water will not be cooking at a rolling boil for long enough to purify it.
  • lemon – lemon juice is one of my favorite “secret ingredients” for boosting flavor. In order to highlight the flavor of the kiwi a little more, add the juice from a lemon. The zesty citrus brightens up the flavor of the kiwi, bringing the tropical notes front and center!

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🥝 all about kiwi fruit

  • how to pick a kiwi – select fruit that has a bit of a squish to it when you gently press it. If a kiwi is as hard as a rock, they aren’t ripe yet. If it’s very soft or wrinkly, it’s overripe.
  • kiwi flavor pairings – think tropical for flavor pairings. Kiwi fruit goes great with pineapple, strawberry, passionfruit, citrus (oranges, lemons, limes), and coconut!
  • gold kiwi vs green kiwi – green kiwi is more tangy, tart, or sour. Green kiwi also has a fuzzier exterior, a larger core, and more seeds. Golden kiwi is much sweeter, with fewer seeds, lezz fuzz on the outside, and a smaller core.

🍳 instructions

peeling a kiwi fruit using a spoon instead of a veggie peeler.

Step 1: Peel and slice your kiwis. The easiest way to peel a kiwi is to slice of both ends, and use a spoon to peel the fruit! Push a spoon into one end of the kiwi, and rotate it until it comes free from the peel. No special peelers are needed!

sliced kiwifruits sit on a small cutting board.

Step 2: Slice the fresh kiwi into quarters.

process shot of making kiwi simple syrup, pouring sugar into a saucepan of water.

Step 3: In a 1.5 quart saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to dissolve the sugar.

Step 4: Once the sugar is dissolved, add in the kiwi and allow the mixture to cook at a rolling simmer for about 10 minutes. Then, add in the lemon juice.

Step 5: Continue to cook the syrup for about 15 – 20 minutes, until the kiwi have lost most of their color and the liquid has taken on the color of the kiwis. If you want a thicker syrup, cook the syrup a bit longer. I’ve cooked it for up to 45 minutes with consistent results.

Step 6: After 15-20 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for up to 30 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve, and discard the solids.

kiwi simple syrup sits on a countertop in a bottle with a gold pour spout.

Step 7: Store your syrup in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or freeze it for longer storage!

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

  • Use your kiwi simple syrup to make in any drink recipe you like, like kiwi lemonade or kiwi soda pop. You can also use it in your favorite cocktail recipes, like turning a mojito into a kiwi mojito!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

  • not enough kiwi flavor – you can use more kiwi fruits if the flavor isn’t intense enough for you. Add up to 2 more whole fruits, and be sure they’re ripe for the best taste.
  • non-reactive pans – make sure your pots, pans, and mesh sieve are non-reactive metal like stainless steel or enameled cast iron. Aluminum or regular cast iron can impart a metallic flavor into dishes that are acidic, like this syrup.

🔆 top tip

Kiwi is mild in flavor, but you can use more fruit if you want a stronger taste!

♻️ customize your kiwi simple 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!

  • sweetener – you can use the sweetener of your choice in place of granulated sugar, like brown sugar or demerara sugar. Just be mindful that the flavor of the syrup will change slightly.
  • strawberry-kiwi – add 8-10 strawberries along with the kiwi fruits to make a strawberry-kiwi syrup! You can also mix this syrup with a strawberry simple syrup to make any drink strawberry-kiwi flavored!

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

Check out this post for a guide of all the tools you’ll need for making homemade syrups!

  • heavy-bottomed saucepan – you can use whatever saucepan you have on hand, I love my 1.5-quart saucepans from All-Clad and Le Creuset. The heavy bottom ensures even heating throughout the cooking time!
  • mesh strainer – a fine mesh strainer helps you to separate the kiwi from the liquid after simmering the mixture. It also helps keep any kiwi seeds out of your syrup!
  • airtight storage bottle – you can use any airtight storage container you like. These OXO squeeze bottles are a favorite of mine for storing simple syrups because you can also stash them in the freezer. Glass bottles are great for gifting simple syrups to friends and family. You can also use a mason jar!
  • measuring cups – my favorite measuring cups are from King Arthur Baking! They are a high-quality set that includes every cup measure you need, even 1/8 cup! For glass measuring cups, I love using Anchor-Hocking brand cups. They stand up to temperature changes without shattering, and I never have issues with the pour spout.

🫙 how to store your kiwi syrup

Store your finished kiwi syrup in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze it for longer storage. In the freezer, simple syrups can last three to five months.

The syrup might not totally freeze as the sugar content is higher than the water content, so it will remain a kind of “gel” like consistency. Because of this, I recommend storing it in a squeeze bottle!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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feature image of a bottle of kiwi simple syrup. A bottle of kiwi simple syrup sits on a small wooden pedestal in front of a bowl of kiwi fruits and lemon. pieces of kiwi fruit are scattered atop the counter.

Homemade Kiwi Simple Syrup (with Real Kiwi Fruit)

This kiwi simple syrup is perfect for incorporating the flavor of kiwis into cocktails, mocktails, and more! The sweet, lush, almost berry-melon-like flavor of kiwis is absolutely made to be in beverages.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Cocktail, Drinks, Simple Syrup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: kiwi, simple syrup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12 ounces
Calories: 64kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 1.5-quart saucepan non-reactive metal, like stainless steel
  • 1 fine mesh sieve non-reactive metal, like stainless steel
  • 1 set of measuring cups thermal shock-resistent material, like thick glass.
  • 1 silicone spatula I love using GIR brand
  • 1 small cutting board for slicing kiwi
  • 1 pairing knife for slicing kiwi
  • 1 spoon or vegetable peeler for peeling kiwi

Ingredients

  • 6 whole kiwi fruits use more fruit for a stronger flavor, you can use up to 10!
  • 200 grams granulated sugar 1 cup
  • 8 ounces filtered water 1 cup

Instructions

  • Peel and slice your kiwis. The easiest way to peel a kiwi is to slice of both ends, and use a spoon to peel the fruit! Push a spoon into one end of the kiwi, and rotate it until it comes free from the peel. No veggie peelers needed!
  • Slice the peeled kiwi into quarters. Set them aside.
  • In a 1.5 quart saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to dissolve the sugar.
  • Once the sugar is dissolved, add in the kiwi and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, then add in the lemon juice.
  • Continue to cook the syrup for about 15 – 20 minutes, until the kiwi have lost most of their color and the liquid has taken on the color of the kiwis.
  • After 15-20 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for up to 30 minutes.
  • Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve, and discard the solids.
  • Store your syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

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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