This easy rosemary simple syrup recipe creates a fresh flavor packed syrup that screams ROSEMARY!!! That’s because it’s made with fresh rosemary springs infused into simple syrup!

One of the biggest lessons I learned in culinary school was the importance of understanding and using flavor. It’s a true skill to be able to know what flavors work well with other flavors, especially when dealing with bolder flavor profiles like herbs and spices. Rosemary is one of those herbs that can take over anything it touches, but when balanced with complementary flavors it can truly create magic. 🪄
This recipe was inspired by my cranberry holiday mule featuring festive flavors of cranberry, ginger, and rosemary. Most of the time, when cocktails have a sprig of fresh rosemary as a garnish, there isn’t any actual rosemary in the drink. This simple syrup is here to change all that. 😏 It’s perfect for adding a little something extra to all of your cocktails, mocktails, and more any time of year, but even more so during the holidays. 😌
why this rosemary simple syrup recipe works:
🌿 bold & herbaceous. Rosemary is a loud and proud flavor that takes center stage. This fragrant syrup is the perfect way to incorporate the beloved woodsy flavor of rosemary into any beverage.
🙌 inventive & unique. Most people love cooking with rosemary, but it’s more rare to see rosemary grace a cocktail menu, aside from using it as a garnish..
🎄 festive & seasonal. While rosemary is usually known as a spring and summer herb, it grows year-round in warmer climates and it’s traditionally associated with winter. It doesn’t hurt that it looks similar to a Christmas tree!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Give your rosemary sprigs a quick rinse and gently pat them dry.
Step 2: Pour 237 g of water into a small saucepan and heat it over medium heat.
Step 3: Add in 200g of granulated sugar and stir it until it dissolves.
Step 4: Once the sugar dissolves, lower the heat to barely a simmer. Add in the rosemary sprigs and allow them to steep for at least 15 minutes, but up to 30.
Step 5: Remove the pan from heat, and carefully strain out the rosemary sprigs. If your syrup has specks of rosemary in it, you can strain it through cheesecloth to remove them.
Step 6: Allow your syrup to cool to room temperature. Store your cooled syrup in an airtight storage container for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Hint: Leave your rosemary on the stem so it’s easier to strain out the whole sprigs when you’re done infusing the syrup!
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ how to serve your rosemary syrup
cocktails
This rosemary syrup is perfect for your favorite cocktails! Use it in any cocktail recipe that calls for classic simple syrup for an easy way to add fresh rosemary flavor to your drinks. You can also use it in specially crafted cocktails that feature the flavor of rosemary, like:
- yule mule – use this rosemary simple syrup to whip up a herbal cranberry mule worthy of any winter celebration!
- rosemary appletini – rosemary simple syrup + apple vodka + apple juice = your new favorite fall martini.
- rosemary old-fashioned – use this simple syrup in place of sugar in a classic old-fashioned recipe!
non-alcoholic drinks
This syrup is also great for making rosemary mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks! Here are some ideas to get you going:
- rosemary lemonade – use this rosemary syrup in place of the sugar of your lemonade (or limeade!) recipe for a delightfully herby beverage!
- sparkling rosemary cider– add some rosemary simple syrup to sparking apple cider for a fall or winter mocktail!
- rosemary iced tea – this is a perfect syrup for tea! Add it to your hot or iced tea for a unique beverage any rosemary lover will go crazy for!
cooking, baking, & gifting
This syrup is also great for baking and gifting, especially during the holiday season!
- baking – brush this simple syrup over layer cakes or muffins. It would be divine brushed over an olive oil cake!
- roasted nuts – drizzle this syrup over cashews or almonds and roast them for a delicious snack!
- gifting – Make a double or triple batch and gift it to family and friends in glass bottles.
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too herbal – rosemary is a super strong flavor, so if you find that your syrup is TOO strong in rosemary flavor, you can dilute it by adding in more water and sugar to essentially double the batch of syrup and cut the amount of rosemary in half. This is a great trick when you’ve already made the syrup, but the flavor is much too strong for your liking.
- not strong enough – if your syrup isn’t strong enough in flavor, allow it to simmer longer to really intensify the rosemary flavor.
🔆 top tip
For a milder flavor, steep your rosemary sprigs for less time. For a more intense flavor, steep them for longer!
You may want to double-strain your syrup through cheesecloth and a fine mesh strainer to make sure to remove all the tiny bits and pieces. This is especially a good idea if you picked your rosemary fresh from your garden!
♻️ customize your syrups
- sugar – you can use whatever sugar you have on hand, but it will affect the flavor of the finished syrup. A less refined sugar or darker sugar (like brown sugar) will have a deeper, caramelized flavor added to it, which can be lovely!
- add citrus – add in lemon juice or zest, or lime or orange juice to give your syrup a bit of a citrus zing! Rosemary also goes wonderfully with the flavor of grapefruit!
- rich syrup – using a ratio of 2:1 for sugar to water instead of equal parts sugar and water will create a rich syrup, which is thicker and sweeter than traditional simple syrup. Some bartenders and mixologists prefer rich syrups because they pack a more potent flavor.
When you put your rosemary into the syrup at first, it will be bright and vibrant. It will lose its color as you infuse it, which is okay!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 how to store homemade syrups
This simple syrup will last you up to two weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for longer-term storage! I love storing it in the freezer in a squeeze bottle or ice cube trays for easy melting.
💬 q+a
What does rosemary taste like?
Rosemary has a strong flavor that is described as woody, piney, and pungent. It has a bright and loud flavor profile that is milder in the winter and stronger in the summer months. It has also been compared to citrus, and can be a bit peppery in flavor as well.
Can I infuse store bought simple syrup with rosemary?
Yes! You can simmer store-bought syrup for 15-30 minutes with rosemary sprigs.
How can I use rosemary simple syrup?
Use this syrup in any beverage that you want to infuse with rosemary flavor! It works wonderfully in cocktails, mocktails, and even tea! You can also use it to brush cakes or as a glaze for pastries.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Easy Rosemary Simple Syrup (For Cocktails and Drinks)
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Equipment
- 1 1.5-quart saucepan non-reactive metal
- 1 fine mesh sieve
- 1 cheesecloth
- 1 spatula or spoon
- 1 pair of tongs optional, for removing sprigs of rosemary from syrup
Ingredients
- 10 g rosemary sprigs About 3 to 4 4-inch whole sprigs on the stem
- 200 g sugar 1 cup
- 237 g water 1 cup
Instructions
- Prep rosemary. Rinse your rosemary sprigs and gently pat them dry.10 g rosemary sprigs
- Heat water. Add water to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.237 g water
- Add sugar. Once the water is heated, add 200g sugar (1 cup) to the saucepan. Stir intermittently until dissolved, about 5 minutes.200 g sugar
- Add rosemary. Add in the whole, fresh rosemary sprigs and lower the heat to low while you infuse the syrup.
- Infuse. Infuse it over low heat for 15 minutes for light flavor, 30 for medium flavor, and up to 60 minutes for intense flavor. If you are infusing it for longer, turn the heat off and allow it to infuse as it cools.
- Cool syrup. Once your syrup reaches your preferred flavor, take it off the heat and use a spoon or tongs to remove the sprigs of rosemary.
- Strain. Allow the syrup to cool slightly before straining it through a fine mesh sieve and cheesecloth.
- Store. Store your finished syrup in an airtight storage bottle in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.