I learned how to make simple syrup with coconut sugar because I love the benefits of coconut sugar – but sometimes it just won’t dissolve! This easy simple syrup recipe solves that problem and creates a healthy, natural sweetener that can easily be used to sweeten foods and drinks.
By making a simple syrup with coconut sugar, I can make a liquid sweetener that has the benefits of coconut sugar, yet it still dissolves in the food or drink in which I’m adding it.
I made the switch to natural sweeteners several years ago because of the effects of processed sugar on the body. My favorite liquid sweetener is honey, and my favorite powdered sweetener is coconut sugar. I wanted to use coconut sugar as a liquid in a recipe, and thus this easy Coconut Sugar Simple Syrup recipe came to be.
If I’m baking, I normally use honey or maple syrup. I find that both of them give a slightly different taste to the foods, and that normally enhances the taste of my baked goods. Maple syrup works well in pumpkin or cinnamon recipes; honey can be used to sweeten fruity baked goods.
However, sometimes I don’t want the honey or maple flavor because they won’t work in the recipe. Take, for example, iced tea. I like honey in my hot tea, but not in my sweet tea. Homemade lemonade is another drink that is very delicious with a sweetener like coconut sugar simple syrup. Try making this Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade recipe with this coconut sugar simply syrup instead of liquid stevia.
As much as I love coconut sugar, it doesn’t dissolve very well. I do sprinkle some on my cereal, but it doesn’t fully dissolve in the milk. I don’t mind that in cereal, but I do want coconut sugar to dissolve in other foods and drinks.
COCONUT SUGAR BENEFITS
One of the reasons that I like coconut sugar is that it is not bitter. It’s also widely available, so I can pick it up at the store and not have to order it online.
Coconut sugar is made from the coconut palm tree, and it can also be called coconut palm sugar. Palm sugar, however, is from a different tree.
White sugar doesn’t have any nutrients, so it’s purely empty calories. Coconut sugar can’t be called a healthy food, but it does have minerals like iron and zinc.
It also has a dietary fiber called inulin. This fiber isn’t digested in your upper GI tract; it works sort of like a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your gut.
Coconut sugar is a lower glycemic index food than table sugar, which means that it won’t raise your blood sugar as high as white sugar.
While I wouldn’t call coconut sugar a healthy food, it is better for you alternative to white sugar or brown sugar.
Coconut Sugar Simple Syrup
Learn how to make simple syrup with coconut sugar, a healthier alternative to white sugar.
- 2 cups coconut sugar
- 1 cup water
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Add water to a medium sized pan and bring to boil over high heat.
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Turn heat down to medium and add coconut sugar. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes or until the coconut sugar melts.
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Remove from heat and let cool completely. You can use it immediately or store in the fridge in a mason jar.
To use, simply add this coconut sugar simple syrup to your drink and stir well. Since it’s been dissolved in heated water, it will mix in your drinks and other recipes and not fall to the bottom like the granular version does.
As you can see from the photos, coconut sugar simple syrup is very dark. That doesn’t matter when you use it in iced tea, but it will darken lemonade. It still tastes great, but it may not look as pretty.
MORE HOMEMADE KITCHEN BASICS:
- Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
- Swiss Mocha Coffee Mix Recipe
- Cream of Anything Soup Mix Recipe
- Copycat Onion Soup Mix Recipe
Cari Dunn is homesteading on an 11.5 acre farm with her husband, three kids, 5 goats, and flock of chickens. She currently blogs at Everything Pretty where she features health and beauty tips along with DIY beauty recipes.
How long does this keep ?
About 3-4 weeks in the fridge.
I’m so happy to come across this recipe, as I’m wanting to switch from using too much stevia to coconut sugar. I didn’t like the idea of using it dry since it wouldn’t dissolve in cold beverages like iced tea/lemonade. I read on Dr. Weil’s site that coconut sugar has less fructose and glucose, to back up what you said. I also like the idea of making syrup would make the coconut sugar last longer. I’m curious as to how it tastes in liquids like tea and lemonade? It probaly wouldn’t be so great in coffee? Thanks so much! Cary
I personally love the way coconut sugar tastes. It’s similar to brown sugar, with that caramelized flavor. It might not be everyone’s preference, but I definitely love it in my coffee.
it is good in coffee makes it taste like starbucks.
I had to throw out strawberry jam it smelled burnt and looked burnt and tasted burnt, using the coconut sugar. I would not recommend it for use in boiling anything for sure.
You list the number of carbs per serving, but you don’t state what the serving size is unless of course, I missed it somewhere. Is the serving size a tablespoon or teaspoon? Thanks!
Sorry about that! A serving size is 3 tablespoons. I’ve added that to the recipe.
Does this thicken up like other syrups? When you boil white sugar it comes to a soft candy temperature. I was wondering if coconut sugar does the same? I’m hoping to put it on pancakes.
Thanks! Pam
It will thicken up similar to white sugar, depending on how long you boil it.
Great simple solution to dissolving coconut sugar. I use coconut sugar to make chocolate but even though I mill it to a fine powder it still doesn’t dissolve and so is not evenly distributed through the chocolate mixture, however much it is mixed in. How can I dissolve say 3 Tbs of coconut sugar without making too much liquid? or would it matter? I’m thinking it might make the chocolate mixture too runny? Thanks.
I would suspect the liquid might not be good for a chocolate recipe, but I’m not sure. Let me know if it works!
Would this work as a substitute for honey in a granola bar recipe? Thanks!
It should work, but I haven’t tried it myself. 🙂
Thank you for sharing! This is what I needed! I have been drinking iced coffee with Sucralose and it has wrecked my gut. I can finally have coffee with no artificial sweetener that actually tastes good!