Sweet & Refreshing: How to Make Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup at Home

I have been told for years that the easiest thing to grow is mint. That it’s basically a weed and if you’re not careful it will take over your garden. My mint plant has not survived more than two weeks every year. EXCEPT THIS YEAR. You’re looking at the owner of an “it’s basically a weed” mint plant! So finally, I have perfected some of my favorite mint recipes. Starting with anything that resembles a mojito. I introduce to you – something fruity, fresh, and totally irresistible, it’s Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup! Made with real strawberries and fresh mint leaves (totally can just buy them from the store but mine come from my garden!!), this syrup is the perfect mix of summertime flavors that’s surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.

Whether you want to add a fruity twist to your lemonade, shake up your iced tea game, or create a signature cocktail or mocktail, we’ve got you covered!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

All you need are four simple ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, slightly mashed
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, shredded or torn

This recipe makes about 1 to 1½ cups of syrup, depending on how much you reduce it.

How to Make Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup

This syrup comes together in under 30 minutes and keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Step 1: Heat sugar and water

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture turns clear. You shouldn’t have to question “is this clear?” – by the time it’s clear, you’ll know. This is your simple syrup base.

Step 2: Add strawberries

Stir in the mashed strawberries. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes. The strawberries will soften and release their juices, infusing the syrup with their beautiful pink color and sweet flavor.

Step 3: Add mint (but don’t boil!)

Once the strawberries have simmered, turn off the heat. Stir in the shredded mint leaves, then cover the saucepan and let it steep for 10 minutes. Steeping instead of boiling helps keep the mint flavor bright and fresh without becoming overpowering or bitter.

Step 4: Strain and cool

Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a glass jar or bottle, discarding the solids. I muddle/mash my berries a bit to get all the juices out of them. Let it cool to room temperature before sealing and storing it in the refrigerator.

That’s it—ta-da! Your homemade strawberry mint syrup is ready to use.

How to Use Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup

Once you have this syrup in your fridge, you’ll be reaching for it constantly because it’s good on everything! Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

• Stir into iced tea or lemonade for a fruity, refreshing twist
• Add to sparkling water or soda for a homemade mocktail
• Mix into cocktails like mojitos, gin fizzes, or vodka spritzes
• Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast – this is my toddlers favorite!
• Spoon onto vanilla ice cream or cheesecake
• Use it as a glaze for pound cake or fresh fruit tarts
• Add to yogurt or overnight oats for a sweet breakfast upgrade

Storage Tips

Store your strawberry mint simple syrup in a clean, sealed jar or bottle (how cute are these?) in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it in small ice cube trays (again, so cute) for longer storage—just thaw and use as needed.

Tips & Tricks

• Use ripe strawberries for the sweetest flavor and most vibrant color.
• If you want a stronger mint flavor, steep the mint leaves a little longer (up to 15 minutes), or muddle them slightly before adding.
• You can adjust the sweetness by reducing the sugar slightly, especially if your strawberries are extra sweet.

Homemade strawberry mint simple syrup is one of those little kitchen magic tricks that takes everyday drinks and treats to the next level. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and feels fancy without the effort. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep a jar in your fridge all summer long.