Jalapeno simple syrup

Name: Jalapeno simple syrup
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup caster sugar; 1 cup water; 1 medium Jalapeno, sliced lengthways and deseeded

The most delicate and delicious Jalapeño Simple Syrup

by Cory Varga

Updated 18 December 2024

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Spice up your drinks with this delicious homemade Jalapeño Simple Syrup. You need just 3 ingredients and a saucepan. It's very fast and keeps well for up to a week in the fridge.

Jalapeño Simple Syrup is so easy to make and the result is a sweet syrup with a hint of spice, perfect for cocktails and mocktails. I always make some in advance and use it for awesome Mexican themed drinks.

Jalapeño Simple Syrup is my favourite simple syrup because you can add it to plain cocktails and give them such unique flavours. It works so well in smoky and spicy cocktails or you can even add it to a classic margarita.

Jalapeño Simple Syrup in a bottle

What's Jalapeño Simple Syrup

I know you've heard of the term simple syrup before. Simple syrup is just equal parts sugar and water that's boiled until the sugar dissolves. You'll find many cocktail recipes that ask for simple syrup and that's exactly how to make it.

A lot of simple syrups can be enhanced by adding a third ingredient. In this case, for the Jalapeño Simple Syrup, we're adding one sliced Jalapeño. By steeping the Jalapeño in simple syrup while still hot, we're getting a sweet and spicy mixture, ideal for so many beverages.

It's a delightful syrup infusion, one that works particularly well when making an El Diablo cocktail. It's my favourite Mexican-inspired cocktail and I think the Jalapeño simple syrup really is the secret ingredient for it.

Hand picking up a glass filled with ice and jalapeno simple syrup in it

Ingredients for Jalapeño Simple Syrup

The Jalapeño Simple Syrup requires just three ingredients and a saucepan.

1 cup of water
1 cup sugar
1 Jalapeño sliced lengthwise, deseeded

These ingredients will yield 1 ¼ of Jalapeño Simple Syrup. You can simply double or triple the ingredients for larger batches.

How to make Jalapeño Simple Syrup

This is the easiest spicy syrup recipe you'll ever need. This Jalapeño Simple Syrup is not overpowering, but it's sweet with a hint of spice, making your cocktails delicate in flavour and not so spicy that nobody can enjoy them. Even those who usually don't like spicy ingredients will appreciate this simple syrup.

Step 1: Combine the water and the sugar in a pan and bring to a boil, stirring continuously until all the sugar has dissolved.

Step 2: Remove from heat and add the sliced jalapeno. Make sure your Jalapeño is deseeded. Otherwise, your syrup will be too spicy.

Step 3: Cover and steep for 10 minutes. No need to simmer at this point. Again, you want to obtain a delicately flavoured syrup and not a super spicy concoction.

Step 4: Remove the jalapeno and allow the syrup to cool completely before use. You can now pour it into a jar or a glass bottle, whichever you prefer.

I like to keep my syrup in a small bottle for easier use. You can absolutely use a jar if you prefer.

Most drinks in which I use this delicious cocktail will require 30 ml of syrup or 1 oz. Your one batch will be enough for around 8-9 cocktails.

Delicious jalapeno simple syrup poured in a glass

How to store

Simple syrups can last for days in the fridge. Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. You want to use it within the next few days as fresh is always best.

How to use

The best use case for this Jalapeño Simple Syrup is cocktails or mocktails. I love using it in a variety of beverages.

If you are feeling adventurous and like gourmet dishes, you can try this delicious syrup on fluffy pancakes. You can try it on waffles too.

For mocktails, I like using this syrup in combination with a tequila flavoured non-alcoholic spirit. Nothing beats the taste of agave combined with Jalapeño.

It can work like a charm for marinades. No need to add fresh Jalapeño and sugar, you can simply add a couple of tbsp of Jalapeño Simple Syrup. It will taste so good!

Add it to a little sparkling water! A super simple way to brighten the fizzy water and make it more delicious.

That's it, you are now ready to make the world's easiest and most delicious Jalapeño Simple Syrup. I can't wait for you to tell me what recipes you are adding it to.

This recipe has been developed entirely by Yuzu Bakes. Any resemblance with other recipes is purely coincidental.