Rose Simple Syrup

Simmer up 3-ingredient Rose Simple Syrup for a delicious and easy-to-make sweet addition to cocktails, sodas, cocktails, or desserts. Made with store-bought rose water, you can make this syrup any time of the year.

This recipe was originally published on May 22, 2023. It was updated with new photos and recipe information on March 23, 2024.

Scents and flavors are often deeply tied to memories and feelings and can remind us of a person, place, or season. Cinnamon feels like a cozy fall day around the fireplace, hot beverage in hand. Coconut feels like the hottest day of the summer spent poolside or on a beach; roses make me think about being feminine, joyful, and loving life. If you’ve ever wondered if you can make syrup from roses to capture those feelings, the answer is absolutely! 

Rose petal simple syrup uses just three ingredients to produce the most amazing rose water syrup to use in coffee, cocktails, sodas, or drizzle on desserts. The ingredients simmer together in minutes and it’s easy to store this syrup to use anytime you want a taste of summer. For seasonally-inspired drink recipes, try my pineapple rose white sangria, apple nutmeg mocktail, or pomegranate margarita.

Ingredients

• Rose Water: Made from rose petals or rose oil, this store-bought ingredient delivers all the floral flavor to this syrup without having to grow, harvest, or process rose petals. Find rose water in the international section of many grocery stores, at an international specialty store, or online. I’ve made this recipe with both Cortas and Sadaf brand rose water. This ingredient is typically more affordable to purchase in person compared to buying it online.
• Sugar: Granulated cane sugar works best for simple syrup recipes because it dissolves easily and adds the needed sweetness. Classic granulated white sugar also works in the recipe.

How to Make Rose Simple Syrup

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Combine the sugar, rose water, and water in a small pot and bring to a simmer. Stir well to help the sugar dissolve.
• Cook until the syrup reduces. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, or until the simple syrup has reduced by half. The syrup should be about the same consistency as agave, if not a little runnier. It will thicken more once it cools. Be careful not to over-reduce it and cook out all of the liquid.
• Cool and store. Allow to cool then store in a glass jar for up to 4 weeks.

Recipe Pro-Tips

• Stir the ingredients until the sugar is fully dissolved. A critical step in making the best simple syrup is stirring all the ingredients while they warm until the sugar is fully dissolved. When the sugar is dissolved, you’ll no longer hear the sound of undissolved sugar as you stir, and the syrup will have a smooth appearance with no visible sugar crystals.
• Cook the syrup until reduced by half. Overcooking the syrup will remove too much of the water, making the syrup thick, burned-tasting, or hard to work with. The syrup will continue thickening as it cools, so simmer until it has a slightly thinner consistency than agave.
• Scale the recipe to make more syrup. If you plan to make a large batch of rose simple syrup cocktails you can easily double or triple this rose syrup recipe. This would also make a beautiful hostess gift when poured into a cute bottle.
• Express chill. If desired, chill the syrup quickly by placing the container of it in an ice bath.

Recipe Variations

Once you know how to make rose syrup, many simple syrup variations are easy and fun to try. Homemade syrup is a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, simmered until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is thickened. Try one of these variations to add to coffee, tea, sparkling water, and more!  

Note: If using other ingredients, like fresh petals or citrus peels, strain the liquid before transferring it.

• Strawberry-rose syrup: For a fruity twist, simmer 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries with the rose water and sugar mixture, being careful not to press down or mash the berries as the mixture cooks. Strain the syrup well before storing or serving. 
• Rose-vanilla simple syrup: Add 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract to the sugar and rose water mixture before bringing to a simmer and reducing. 
• Extra flower petals: Add an extra floral infusion to your syrup by adding a handful of rose petals or other edible flower petals along with the other ingredients. Make sure to use homegrown or food-grade petals and strain the thickened syrup before storing.

Serving Suggestions

Rose syrup is a wonderful addition to desserts and drinks.  The sweet floral notes have a refreshing flavor compared to plain simple syrup or agave. When drizzled on baked goods, rose petal syrup adds sweetness and keep them moist and hydrated.

• Use to sweeten Hibiscus Pineapple Skin Tea 
• Make a rose syrup cocktail, like my refreshing Strawberry Gin Bramble (pictured above)
• Add to coffee, tea, lemonade, or your favorite sparkling water to make homemade soda
• Drizzle on waffles, pancakes, crepes, or cakes

Storage Directions

• Refrigeration/Storage: Store homemade rose syrup in an airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
• Freezing: Freeze simple syrup in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. To make defrosting easy, freeze 1-2 ounce portions in a silicone mold until firm and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for longer-term storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are roses edible?

All varieties of rose petals are edible and are a good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E, and they are high in phytonutrients (source). Rose petals can be used as a beautiful edible garnish for desserts, pastries, teas, and cocktails, or used to make rose water. 

What does rose syrup taste like?

This rose syrup recipe tastes like the smell of roses and has a floral and uplifting flavor. Rose water has a lighter floral taste, while rose syrup has been reduced so it has a bolder rose taste. If you enjoy the smells of a summer garden blooming or the flavor of a lavender latte, you will adore rose syrup.

What’s the difference between rose water and rose syrup?

When comparing rose syrup vs rose water, the key difference is that rose water does not contain added sugar, while rose syrup is made with sugar.

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