Pumpkin Spice Syrup

This simple syrup is packed with lots of real pumpkin flavor and seasonal fall spices. You can use Pumpkin Spice Syrup in cocktails, coffee, and soda, and over ice cream, oatmeal, and so much more!

It might feel like there's a pumpkin spice version of virtually everything these days... But what if you had the power to turn any average food into a pumpkin spice food with just a touch of syrup?

With this homemade pumpkin spice syrup, you can! The easy-to-make syrup has lots of pumpkin flavor (there's actual pumpkin puree in it!), plus plenty of warming fall spices, making it an absolute necessity for your autumn.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is essentially just water and sugar simmered together to form a syrup. It's an essential ingredient in many cocktails as it mixes nicely and is an easy way to add sweetness to drinks.

It's also a great way to add flavor to drinks since you can make simple syrups in pretty much any flavor you can think of. I've made everything from a bubblegum syrup to a candy corn syrup. Plus, plenty with fresh fruit and herbs, like blueberry and lavender.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This biggest reason I love this syrup is that it helps me bring pumpkin spice flavor into practically anything I can think of!

Plus, it's incredibly easy to make with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.

This syrup is a little bit different than the ones I typically make as it's a little thicker thanks to the pumpkin puree used. This results in an almost more caramel-like syrup.

At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about this, but after using the syrup in many ways and sharing it with several friends, I was told not to change a thing!

Ingredients

The ingredients in this pumpkin spice syrup are very basic and chances are, you currently have them all in your pantry. If you don't have all the spices and would prefer to use pumpkin pie spice, you should be able to substitute all the spices with 1 ½ tsp of that instead.

Here's what you need to make your own pumpkin spice syrup:

• Water
• Granulated sugar
• Pumpkin puree
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Syrup

There's also nothing complicated about making your own simple syrup, even a flavored one! And this one is no exception.

All you have to do is add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Stir together and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has thickened.

Pour they syrup into a heat-proof bowl or mason jar and place in fridge to cool completely before using. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

And that's it! That's all you have to do to make pumpkin spice syrup. And now you'll have 1 ½ cups of deliciously flavored fall syrup to use however you please.

And, trust me, there are SO many ways to use it!

How to Use

You might be tempted to just drink this right off the spoon (I may or may not have done this), but there are also tons of other uses for it. Here are some of my favorites:

• Cocktails: There are so many delicious cocktails you could make with pumpkin spice syrup. I especially love adding a bit to vodka sodas, but the syrup is also delicious with whiskeys and bourbons. You could even turn it into a margarita!
  
• Pumpkin Spice Soda: Mixing this syrup with soda water will result in the most delicious homemade pumpkin spice syrup!

• Coffee: I usually drink my coffee black with no sugar, but I've been adding a Tbsp or so to my hot coffee lately and it adds a delightful fall touch. It would also be so yummy in iced coffee!
  
• Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle over vanilla ice cream for a delicious fall flavor. Drizzle it over pumpkin ice cream and you will be in absolute heaven!
  
• Oatmeal or Yogurt Topping: If you want to add a little seasonal sweetness to your mostly healthy breakfast, use this syrup over your oatmeal or yogurt.
  
• Pancake, French Toast, or Waffle Topping: The syrup also makes a great substitute for maple syrup over a variety of breakfast items!
  
• Marinade or Glaze: Pumpkin spice steak tips or pumpkin spice chicken? Yes, you can use this simple syrup as a marinade!
  

How to Store

You should always store your simple syrups in the fridge in an airtight container. When stored properly, the syrup should stay fresh for at least a month.

I use these cute little 8 oz. jars for this syrup. But I also often store my syrups in 16 oz. mason jars.

You can even get lids with spouts for them to make pouring easy.

How to Thin Out Syrup

As you can see, this particular syrup looks a bit more like caramel than many other simple syrups do. It's much thicker than the typical simple syrup and it definitely thickens a bit as it chills (some may even call it "gloopy"). This is thanks to the pumpkin puree.

Before you use it, you can re-heat it to thin it out a bit if you want, but it's also not necessary. I'm I'm using it in a cocktail, I like to prepare the cocktail in a shaker filled with ice to really get the liquor and syrup mixed together well.

You can also strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or thin kitchen towel before chilling it if you choose to. I do strain most of my simple syrups that have fruit in them, but I think this one works really well with the pumpkin puree remaining in it (also, the pumpkin puree won't ALL strain out, so you'll only be able to thin it out so much).

Where to Buy

There are TONS of pumpkin spice syrups on the market and all are a little bit different. Some are more of a traditional syrup recipe and many are more orange in color than my recipe.

You should note that most of the pumpkin syrups you can buy in stores are not made with real pumpkin and are mostly artificially flavored and colored. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but that's simply why the color and consistency are so different from this homemade version.

If you want to purchase a pumpkin spice syrup, here are some good options:

• Bee in Your Bonnet Pumpkin Spice Syrup (this is the most natural syrup I've found!)
• Blackberry Patch Pumpkin Spice Syrup (this one also has real pumpkin in it)
• Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup
• Pumpkin Spice Proof Syrup

More Simple Syrup Flavors

As I mentioned, you can make a simple syrup in practically any flavor you want! I've only just brushed the surface of simple syrup flavor options, but here are some of my very favorites:

• Jalapeno
• Blueberry
• Lavender
• Strawberry
• Mint
• Peach
• Apple
• Bubblegum
• Candy Corn
• Vanilla
• Pear
• Ginger
• Raspberry
• Rhubarb
• Pink Peppercorn
• Holiday Spice

Pumpkin spice is quickly becoming one of my most-made syrups of all time (though jalapeño and blueberry still reign supreme there).

I hope this syrup recipe helps make all your pumpkin spice dreams come true!

Please comment to let me know all of the delicious drinks and dishes you're using this simple syrup in!