Name: Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups light brown sugar; 1½ cups water; 3 inch fresh ginger; 2 teaspoons whole cloves; 2 large cinnamon sticks; ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon ground all spice; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons molasses

Bring the warmth of the holidays into your mug with this easy homemade gingerbread syrup recipe. Made with fresh ingredients and a blend of cozy spices, this rich and aromatic flavored simple syrup is perfect for flavoring your winter coffee drinks or adding festive flair to hot chocolate, pancakes, and Christmas drinks.

Unlike store-bought versions, this gingerbread coffee syrup is made with real, whole ingredients, resulting in a deeply spiced, and versatile holiday drinks syrup that you can stir into any drink to instantly make it taste like Christmas!

Whether you’re whipping up a homemade gingerbread latte, experimenting with holiday coffees or looking for cozy Christmas morning drinks ideas, this festive gingerbread syrup for coffee will quickly become your go-to recipe.

If you love homemade coffee syrups, try my pecan coffee syrup, this easy hazelnut syrup, or this yummy chocolate syrup recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Syrup Recipe

Rich, Authentic Flavor: Made with fresh ginger, molasses, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, this simple syrup recipe captures the classic taste of gingerbread in every sip.

Versatile & Festive: Perfect for making homemade gingerbread lattes, sweetening hot chocolate, flavoring cocktails, or even drizzling over pancakes and desserts, it’s a holiday essential you can use in countless ways.

Perfect for Holiday Gifts: This homemade syrup makes a thoughtful and festive food gift. Pour it into a pretty bottle, tie with a ribbon, and it’s ready to include in Christmas gift baskets or give to friends and family who love coffee and cozy winter treats.

gingerbread simple syrup in jar on chopping board.

Gingerbread Coffee Syrup Ingredients

To make this ginger syrup recipe you’ll need the following ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the specific ingredient quantities and steps.

Water: The basis for all simple syrups, tap or filtered water is fine.
Light brown sugar: Essential to create the base caramelly syrup flavor. You can also use dark brown sugar, it will just have a more intense flavor.
Fresh ginger: Easy to find at your local supermarket in the fresh food section, fresh ginger is what really sets this recipe apart from many others. The zesty, spiced ginger flavor infuses through the syrup as it cooks.
Molasses: A thick, dark syrup that gives gingerbread it’s classic rich, caramel flavor. Light or dark molasses is fine to use, but avoid black strap, as it is just too bitter for this recipe.
Spices: Cinnamon sticks, all spice, nutmeg, peppercorns, cloves and vanilla all help to make this syrup taste like Christmas!

How To Make Gingerbread Syrup At Home

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this homemade coffee syrup. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step recipe, ingredient list, and cook times.

Step 1: Combine the water and brown sugar in a medium saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Add the chopped ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, nutmeg and all spice to the saucepan. Bring back to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

gingerbread drinks syrup ingredients infusing in saucepan.

Step 2: Remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 20 minutes for the flavors to infuse through the liquid.

Step 3: Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. If you prefer a completely smooth syrup (without the ground spice particles), add a layer or two of cheesecloth to the sieve before straining the syrup.

Stir the vanilla extract and molasses through the ginger syrup. Start with 1 tablespoon of molasses, then add more to taste, noting that the flavors will settle and continue to mature as it chills.

straining flavored simple syrup into bowl.

gingerbread flavored coffee syrup in bowl with ingredients alongside.

Step 4: Pour the syrup into a jar or bottle then seal and store in the fridge until needed.

Add 2 tablespoons (or more, to taste) of gingerbread simple syrup to hot black coffee or your morning latte for a delicious holiday coffee drink idea. Also try it in hot chocolate, Christmas cocktails, an iced Christmas coffee, cold brew, or on top of coffee waffles!

Recipe Tips For Success

Slice the ginger thinly: Thin 0.2″ (5mm) slices release more flavor during simmering, ensuring your syrup has a bold, fresh ginger taste.
Let the spices infuse fully: Resting the syrup for 20 minutes after simmering allows the warm spices to deepen and balance the flavor.
Strain carefully: Use a fine mesh sieve (or add cheesecloth) to remove spice particles, giving your gingerbread syrup a smooth, café-style finish.

gingerbread coffee syrup in jar surrounded by ingredients and gingerbread latte.

How To Store Gingerbread Simple Syrup

Store your ginger simple syrup in a sealed jar or syrup bottle in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Serving Suggestions

Here are just three delicious ways you can use homemade gingerbread syrup:

Holiday Lattes & Coffee – Stir ginger syrup into espresso, cold brew, or brewed coffee or make a festive gingerbread latte.
Hot Chocolate Upgrade – Add a splash of flavored simple syrup to hot chocolate for a yummy spiced winter drink.
Festive Desserts – Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream for an easy holiday treat.
Coffee Gift Basket – Pour the syrup into a pretty bottle and add to a coffee gift basket for a homemade food gift everyone will love!