Sugar Free Simple Syrup
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Once you learn how to make my sugar free simple syrup recipe, you’ll make it all the time! Made with 3 ingredients and nearly zero calories! 1 gram of net carbs.
Cringe moment: When I first reached the legal drinking age in Australia, I was obsessed with margaritas. The sweeter, the better. Unfortunately, my waistline did not agree with me.
As I got older, I started being more mindful about my sugar intake–but I still have a raging sweet tooth. As a compromise, I started making my own sugar-free simple syrups, and now I’m rightly obsessed!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- It tastes like regular simple syrup. So long as you choose the best sweetener, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
- Endless ways to use it. Add it to cocktails, coffee, and even overnight oatmeal. There’s no end to what you can do with it!
- And it’s customizable. Spice it up with all sorts of mix-ins and swear off store-bought sugar-free syrups for good.
- Ready in minutes. Simmer until the sweetener dissolves, then let it cool in the fridge. That’s all there is to it.
Ingredients needed
- Sugar-free sweetener. I highly recommend allulose, as it dissolves exactly as sugar does. However, if you don’t have any on hand, splenda or monk fruit can also be used. Read my tips below on how to select the best sweetener.
- Water. Room temperature water.
- Xanthan gum. Optional, but a dash will thicken the syrup beautifully.
What is the best sugar substitute for simple syrup?
Not all keto sweeteners are created equal. Here’s my rule of thumb for picking the best one for the task:
- Monk fruit sweetener. My preferred all-natural sweetener. You’ll usually find this mixed with granulated erythritol (I like the Lakanto brand). If you use pure monkfruit, only add half of the recommended amount, as it is much sweeter than other sugar substitutes.
- Allulose. My preferred sweetener for being dissolved as it doesn’t leave a gritty texture or bad aftertaste.
- Stevia. This works in a pinch, though I suggest using powdered stevia over liquid stevia as the liquid sweetener tends to have a bitter aftertaste.
How to make sugar free simple syrup
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Simmer. Add the water and sweetener to a small saucepan and simmer. Whisk until the sweetener dissolves, then whisk in the xanthan gum. Remove it from the heat.
Step 2- Cool and chill. Let the syrup cool completely, then pour it into a glass jar and refrigerate.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Make as much or as little as you want. So long as you use equal parts water to sweetener, you can make as much simple syrup as you want.
- Taste it as it cools and adjust the sweetness as needed.
- It’ll thicken over time. As the xanthan gum has time to settle, you should notice it thickening, and even more so once it’s been refrigerated.
- Simmer low and slow. If the sweetener overheats it’ll burn and you’ll have to start over.
Variations
- Ginger. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ginger extract.
- Rose. Whisk through 1/2 teaspoon rosewater extract once the simple syrup has cooled.
- Mint. Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and fresh mint leaves once the syrup has cooled.
- Lavender. Fold through 1/2 teaspoon lavender extract halfway through the simmering stage.
- Vanilla. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or a vanilla bean pod.
- Spiced. Add 1 cinnamon stick, a few cloves, and anise pods halfway through the simmering stage.
Storage instructions
To store: Store the simple syrup in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months or in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
To freeze: Place the container in the freezer and freeze for 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Starbucks has low carb, sugar free versions of most of their syrups. Read my list of the best low calorie Starbucks drinks, and how to order them!
Recipes for using sugar-free simple syrup
- Keto lemonade
- Keto mojito
- Low calorie cocktails
- Keto drink mix
- Keto margarita
- Need more homemade keto syrup recipes? Try my keto maple syrup, keto honey, and sugar-free caramel syrup next.
Sugar Free Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup allulose
- 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add the water and allulose and place over low heat. Regularly whisk the mixture until the sweetener dissolves. Once the syrup begins to simmer, whisk through the xanthan gum, before removing from the heat.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely, before transferring to a glass jar or bottle.
What is the serving size amount?
Hi Donna- apologies for that, I’ll make a note in the recipe card. One serving is 1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon (4 teaspoons total).