Swaps · Updated Oct 2026
Simple Syrup Substitutes: What to Use Instead
The best simple syrup substitute is a quick jar syrup made with hot tap water. Honey, agave and maple work too. Here's how much of each replaces ¾ oz of syrup.
The best substitute for simple syrup is a quick one: shake equal parts sugar and hot tap water in a sealed jar for a minute and it's ready. If you have no time at all, ¾ oz (22 ml) of simple syrup equals about 1 tablespoon of sugar dissolved in the drink. Honey, agave and maple syrups also work once you thin them, as the chart below shows.
Quick swap chart
Each amount replaces ¾ oz (22 ml) of classic 1:1 simple syrup, the amount in a standard sour.
| Substitute | Use instead of ¾ oz simple syrup | Flavor | Best in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick jar syrup (1:1, hot tap water) | ¾ oz (22 ml) | Neutral | Anything |
| Granulated or superfine sugar | 1 tbsp (12 g), dissolved first | Neutral | Hot drinks, shaken sours |
| Rich 2:1 syrup | ½ oz (15 ml) | Neutral, silkier | Stirred drinks, iced coffee |
| Honey syrup (1:1) | ¾ oz (22 ml) | Floral | Gin, whiskey, tea |
| Straight honey | About ⅓ oz (11 ml), stirred into warm liquid | Floral, strong | Hot tea, toddies |
| Agave syrup (2:1 agave to water) | ¾ oz (22 ml) | Light caramel | Tequila, mezcal |
| Straight agave nectar | ½ oz (15 ml) | Light caramel | Tequila, iced tea |
| Maple simple syrup (2:1 maple to water) | ¾ oz (22 ml) | Maple, woody | Bourbon, coffee |
| Straight maple syrup | A generous ½ oz (17 ml) | Maple, woody | Old Fashioned, lattes |
| Allulose syrup (sugar-free) | 1 oz (30 ml) | Neutral | Coffee, low-sugar drinks |
| Jam or marmalade | 1–2 barspoons, shaken hard | Fruity | Sours, then double strain |
Using plain sugar instead
Sugar works fine in hot drinks, where it dissolves on its own. In cold drinks it sinks and stays gritty, so dissolve it first.
- In a shaken cocktail: stir 1 tablespoon of superfine sugar into the citrus juice in your shaker until it disappears, then add the spirit and ice.
- For a pitcher of tea or lemonade: dissolve the sugar in a cup of the hot tea or hot water before you add the cold liquid.
- For anything else: make the quick jar syrup. Shake ½ cup sugar with ½ cup hot tap water in a sealed jar for a minute. It keeps in the fridge like any cold-process syrup.
No superfine sugar? Pulse granulated sugar in a blender for 20 seconds. Don't use powdered sugar. Its cornstarch makes drinks cloudy.
Honey, agave and maple
These are already syrups, but they're too thick to mix well in cold drinks straight from the bottle. Thinning them with warm water makes them pour, measure and dissolve like simple syrup.
- Honey syrup: stir equal parts honey and warm water. Use it ounce for ounce in place of simple syrup. It's the base of the Bee's Knees and Gold Rush.
- Agave syrup: stir 2 parts agave nectar into 1 part warm water by weight. Use it ounce for ounce.
- Maple simple syrup: stir 1 cup pure maple syrup with ½ cup hot water. Use it ounce for ounce. Never use pancake syrup, which is flavored corn syrup.
Straight from the bottle, all three are sweeter than simple syrup by volume, so use less: about half as much honey, two-thirds as much agave and three-quarters as much maple.
Agave vs simple syrup
Agave nectar is mostly fructose, which tastes sweeter than table sugar, so you need less of it. It has a light caramel flavor that fades quickly, which is why it's a natural match for tequila and mezcal. Simple syrup is neutral and lets every other ingredient show.
Agave has a lower glycemic index than sugar, but it isn't lower in calories, and it costs more. Pick it for flavor, not for health. In a Margarita or Paloma, use agave. In a Daiquiri or Whiskey Sour, use simple syrup.
Is simple syrup the same as corn syrup?
No. Simple syrup is ordinary table sugar (sucrose) dissolved in water. Corn syrup is made from corn starch and is mostly glucose. It's much thicker and noticeably less sweet. Bakers and candy makers use it because glucose gets in the way of sugar crystals, which keeps caramels and frostings smooth.
The two aren't interchangeable. Corn syrup tastes flat and gluey in drinks, and simple syrup adds too much water to candy. Regular corn syrup is also different from high-fructose corn syrup, which is the industrial sweetener in most sodas.
Sugar-free substitutes
For a sugar-free swap, allulose syrup behaves most like the real thing. It has the same body and doesn't recrystallize in the fridge. It's about 70% as sweet as sugar, so use 1 oz (30 ml) where a recipe calls for ¾ oz (22 ml).
Avoid erythritol-based syrups, which crystallize when cold. Many "monk fruit sweeteners" are mostly erythritol, so check the label. Liquid stevia or monk fruit drops sweeten well but add no body, so drinks taste thinner.
classic4 min
Honey Syrup
floral · round · honeyed
sugar-swap2 min
Agave Syrup
clean · light caramel · quick finish
sugar-swap2 min
Maple Simple Syrup
maple · caramel · woody
FAQ
What can I use instead of simple syrup?
The quickest option is a jar syrup: shake equal parts sugar and hot tap water until dissolved. You can also dissolve 1 tablespoon of sugar per ¾ oz of syrup directly into the drink, or use thinned honey, agave or maple syrup.
Can I use honey instead of simple syrup?
Yes. Mix equal parts honey and warm water and use it ounce for ounce. Straight honey seizes up in cold drinks, so save it for hot tea and toddies, and use about half as much.
Is agave the same as simple syrup?
No. Agave nectar comes from the agave plant and is mostly fructose, so it's sweeter than simple syrup and has a light caramel taste. Use about two-thirds as much straight agave, or thin it 2:1 with water and swap it ounce for ounce.
Can I use maple syrup instead of simple syrup?
Yes. Thin 1 cup of pure maple syrup with ½ cup of hot water and use it ounce for ounce. It's especially good in whiskey drinks and lattes.
Is simple syrup the same as corn syrup?
No. Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in water. Corn syrup is a thick glucose syrup made from corn starch, much less sweet, and used mainly in baking and candy to stop crystallization.