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Home » Recipes » Cocktails

Jalapeño Simple Syrup

Published: Jul 13, 2022 by Lexi

37 shares
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Overhead view of jalapeno simple syrup in a white saucepan.

This jalapeño simple syrup is the perfect way to add a spicy kick to any cocktail or mocktail. It contains just 3 ingredients, is super easy to make, and can be used wherever you'd normally use simple syrup.

Overhead view of jalapeno simple syrup in a white saucepan.
Jalapeño peppers and sugar team up for a sweet and spicy kick.
Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Instructions
  • Using Your Jalapeño Syrup
  • Tips and FAQs
  • Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Typical simple syrups are just a 1:1 combination of water and granulated sugar, and this recipe is a fun twist on that cocktail mainstay.
  • Adds spice to any cocktail or mocktail: This infused simple syrup is the perfect way to create a delicious sweet and spicy drink.
  • Stores well: You can keep it in a mason jar in the refrigerator, or freeze it in an ice cube tray, so one batch will keep your drinks spicy for months to come.
  • Quick and easy: This jalapeño simple syrup only requires about 5 minutes of hands on time. You can also make it far ahead of time, so it's great for entertaining occasions.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this jalapeño simple syrup:

Overhead view of jalapeno simple syrup ingredients, including jalapeno, turbinado sugar, and water.
This spicy simple syrup requires only 3 ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

  • Jalapeño peppers: We used the entire jalapeño, including the seeds and membranes, which is where most of the spice resides. If you want a bit less heat, you can remove the seeds and the membranes and cut the jalapeños into pieces instead of slices. If you want even more heat, you can use serranos, which are about five times hotter than jalapeños. (Note: if using serrano peppers, use less as to not overpower the syrup.)
  • Turbinado sugar: Compared to the white sugar that's typically used in simple syrups, turbinado sugar has a stronger molasses flavor. This caramel-like flavor stands up really well to the heat of jalapeños. If you don't have or can't find turbinado sugar, you could also use demerara sugar, or use a blend of ½ white sugar and ½ brown sugar. Of course, you can always just use regular white granulated sugar too if preferred!

Instructions

(1) Add sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat and stir well until sugar is dissolved.

(2) Bring to a boil, add sliced jalapeños, and continue boiling for 3 minutes.

On the left: sugar and water after being combined. On the right: jalapenos added in.

(3) Turn off the heat and let the syrup sit for 30 minutes.

(4) Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a heat safe container, and discard jalapeños and seeds.

On the left: jalapenos sitting in the water and sugar mixture. On the right: straining out jalapenos.

Using Your Jalapeño Syrup

  • Use it as the first step when you're rimming glasses for margaritas: pour some of this spicy simple syrup onto a plate, dip the rim of the glass in it, then dip the rim into salt, sugar, or tajin.
  • Below is a list of cocktails and mocktails we love to add this jalapeño simple syrup to:
    • Pineapple Margaritas
    • Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
    • Pineapple Mojitos
    • Strawberry Mocktail
    • Cucumber Martini
    • Berry Basil Moscow Mules
    • Blackberry Cucumber Cocktail
    • Watermelon Peach Prosecco Popsicles

Tips and FAQs

  • If you want extra spice, skip straining the jalapeños out of the syrup. They will continue to infuse the syrup over time, adding spiciness. You can also use serranos instead of jalapeños for a seriously spicy syrup. Of course, be sure to strain before using in a cocktail.
  • If you want to cut down on the spice but still keep some jalapeño flavor, remove the seeds and the membrane of the pepper, which is where most of the heat resides.
  • Storage: you can keep the syrup in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a month, or you can freeze the simple syrup in an ice cube tray and keep frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, move to a glass and leave at room temperature until melted, or microwave for 15-20 seconds.
  • Let the syrup cool before adding to a cocktail. If it's too hot, it will make the drink warm, and nobody wants a lukewarm cocktail. (Unless it's meant to be, like this spiked apple cider!)
Overhead view of simple syrup in a mall glass.

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    Blackberry Peach Serrano Tequila Cocktail
  • Overhead view of jalapeno poppers on a sheet pan.
    Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
  • side view of pineapple jalapeño margarita in glass rimmed with salt with a fresh pineapple in background.
    Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

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Overhead view of jalapeno simple syrup in a white saucepan.

Jalapeño Simple Syrup


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: ½ cup 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This jalapeño simple syrup is the perfect way to add a spicy kick to any cocktail or mocktail. It contains just 3 ingredients, is super easy to make, and can be used  wherever you'd normally use simple syrup.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper, sliced into rounds
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup turbinado sugar (can also use granulated white sugar)

Instructions

  1. Add sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat and stir well until sugar is dissolved. 
  2. Bring to a boil, add sliced jalapeños, and continue boiling for 3 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the syrup sit for 30 minutes.

  4. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a heat safe container, and discard jalapeños and seeds. 

Notes

Makes about ½ cup (4 oz) of simple syrup.

If you want extra spice, skip straining the jalapeños out of the syrup. They will continue to infuse the syrup over time, adding spiciness. You can also use serranos instead of jalapeños for a seriously spicy syrup. Of course, be sure to strain before using in a cocktail. 

If you want to cut down on the spice but still keep some jalapeño flavor, remove the seeds and the membrane of the pepper, which is where most of the heat resides.

Storage: you can keep the syrup in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a month, or you can freeze the simple syrup in an ice cube tray and keep frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, move to a glass and leave at room temperature until melted, or microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Sugar: You can also use white sugar or turbinado sugar. 

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Infusing Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 fl oz
  • Calories: 107
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 2.6 mg
  • Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.7 g
  • Fiber: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 0.2 g

Keywords: jalapeño simple syrup

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Alex

    December 04, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    Love adding this to margaritas!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Lexi and Beth toasting with wine.

Hi, we're Lexi and Beth, a mother-daughter team from Michigan. The recipes you'll find here are a reflection of how we bring our family together around the dinner table despite various dietary differences.

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