Candy Cane (Peppermint) Simple Syrup
This sweet peppermint simple syrup gets its flavor from candy canes. Forget spending all your money on expensive coffee syrups. It’s also perfect for holiday giving!
Peppermint.
It is my holiday siren. Resistance is futile. Cookies, cakes, frosting, even candles and handsoap- BRING IT ON! But especially coffee. Peppermint belongs in my coffee.
I love making simple syrups at home partly because when the urge arises I NEED flavored coffee right now, but mostly because I’m cheap. I like a lot of flavor in my coffee and can go through a tiny bottle in an embarrassingly short amount of time. I have made peppermint simple syrup with peppermint extract before and I love the results (I will include that in the recipe below as well) but I thought of this fun and inexpensive alternative and I just had to share with you.
If you aren’t turning out peppermint baked goods at an alarming rate like some people (ahem), then you may not have much motivation for buying a $5 bottle of peppermint extract just so you can make your own coffee syrup at home. But I’m willing to bet you have a $1 box of candy canes lying around this time of year.
You are going to unwrap those candy canes and throw them in some water and boil them down into a delicious syrup for your coffee, mochas, frappuchinos, and whatever else your little heart desires. I found that a 12:1 ratio worked best for my tastes and I didn’t need to add any sugar. Tweak the recipe as needed to your liking. Also this is best prepared in advance as it gives the flavor time to deepen but none will be the wiser if you sneak a few Tablespoons immediately.
Candy Cane Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 12 standard size candy canes, 5 1/2 inches
Instructions
- Unwrap candy canes and place in a pot with 1 cup water.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and continue stirring until candy is dissolved completely.
- Let cool and store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Best if chilled overnight but can be used immediately.
If you like this you might want to try my Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup as well!
30 Comments on “Candy Cane (Peppermint) Simple Syrup”
I’m having a hard time this year finding peppermint candy or candy cane flavoured ice cream. Up until a couple of years ago I always used to be able to buy some version of this every year during the Christmas holidays. Usually a store brand, sometimes a brand name. My mom started this tradition for our family back during the mid 1970’s. She would always buy us peppermint candy ice cream at Christmas time. My question is: if I were to make this Candy Cane Simple Syrup, buy some plain vanilla ice cream, and then mix some of the syrup into the ice cream, do you think it would have a similar taste. We put toppings on ice cream all the time to get different flavours; do you think it would taste similar?
This is a terrific gift idea that we will probably try right away! I wanted to share that if you just need that fix immediately if not sooner… you can simply put a mini candy cane (or three) directly into your cup and pour your hot coffee over it and it works the same way.Â
I make pour over coffee so it’s boiling hot but it will still dissolve in a cup of regular brew with a tiny bit more time. Tis the season to not have quite enough time!Â
Can you use this syrup in place of peppermint extract for cookie recipes? Or does the syrup get too hard?
FYI: 42 small candy canes = 12 regular
how many days ahead should I make this?
What brand of candy cane can do you use for the peppermint sauce? Depending on the brand, you don’t get a rich red syrup. Instead you get a pink syrup that looks like Pepto. I used to have the recipe but can’t find it. Any chance you could convey the brand you use? The rich red is much more appealing.
Hi Katrina – I want to try the simple syrup recipe but I have the individually wrapped peppermint candies, not candy canes. So, I’m not sure about the ratio of water to candy. What do you suggest?
Jean
I would try 3 peppermint discs per 1 standard size candy cane and go from there (so 36 peppermint discs). If that is not strong enough for you it’s easy to add more to your desired liking.
Thanks for sharing your outstanding recipe. Added to half hot chocolate and half coffee makes a delicious drink.
Hi Katrina…I use chocolate mint candy canes and the syrup tasted delicious!! What a wonderful idea, thank you so much for your site. Have a Very Merry Christmas 🙂
Yum! I hear you girl. All peppermint, all December.
Hello Katrina,
I’m writing from the Philippines and I thank you for unselfishly sharing your recipe and ideas with the world. My husband and I are into flavored coffee as well. I spend about $8 equivalent for a 750ml bottle of syrup which we consume in 2 weeks (at 3 pumps of per coffee cup). I just arrived from LA but before my trip I checked Amazon for peppermint syrup. I discovered crushed candy cane. A 5lbs bag cost $39. This will go a long way using your recipe. I hope your viewers will benefit from this piece of information as well.
Again, thank you and more power.
God bless everyone.
Hey I was wondering if this is thick? I have a recipe that calls for peppermint and I wasn’t sure if the hard or soft peppermint melts to be thick
this is perhaps an odd question but have you used this simple syrup in a cocktail? I want to make peppermint martinis and I wanted to make a simple syrup instead of store bought stuff.
Yes! Bring it on!! Love the photos 🙂
Where did you get the super cute containers?
Those are just empty Starbucks iced coffee glasses from the grocery store 😉
This is de-lish!
I made this over the weekend, after a few adjustments. I only had mini candy canes so I used 60! I also ground them up in my food processor, which left me with about 200 grams. That made the cooking part realy easy. My only complaint is the colour. There was green in the candy canes, so it came out a grey burgundy colour.
What! This is such a good idea. You’re a genius! Nothing says Christmas quite like peppermint. This would be great for hot chocolate.
Ha! Thanks! It was so great in hot chocolate. I hope you try some!
Peppermint awesomeness for sure here!!! I am kind of obsessed with peppermint everything right now and I love how easy this is!!!
Thank you Jocelyn! What is it about peppermint? I just can’t say no!
I love this idea 🙂 will definitely have to use this asap!
Perfect way to freshen up our favorite warm drinks! But you are the queen of drinks…of the spiked variety lol
Love this idea. It is genius. Totally trying it this weekend. Pinned!
Thanks Laura! I hope you love it 🙂
What a perfectly fun gift this would be! I would love someone to give it to me:) What size candy canes did you use?
Great question, Sue! Standard size candy canes (5 1/2 inches). I updated the post to reflect that so thanks for asking.
This would. Be a perfect addition to my morning #Shotofcoffee
Thanks Kristen! Mm I’m craving peppermint coffee even now 🙂