This candy cane simple syrup is so easy to make and it’s the perfect way to add that delicious, sweet peppermint flavor to any drink. Make peppermint hot chocolate, a candy cane martini, and so many more seasonal drinks with this fun (and quick!) simple syrup recipe.
Candy cane simple syrup ingredients
This easy syrup comes together with three ingredients: sugar, water, and candy canes! You can customize it to suit your taste, but here’s how to get started.
Sugar and water
When we say “simple syrup” we’re simply talking about a mixture of equal parts sugar and water. When you dissolve the sugar in the water, it becomes a syrup that makes adding a bit of sweetness to drinks (especially cold ones) much easier than adding sugar granules. Learn more in my comprehensive Complete Guide to Simple Syrup.
White table sugar is the recommended sugar for this recipe, although you can use other types of sugar like pure cane sugar, turbinado sugar, even brown sugar.
I prefer the clean, neutral taste of white sugar for this syrup, and I also love the bright pink-red hue that the syrup becomes after dissolving the candy canes! If using another sugar, be aware that the color will be duller or darker. You’ll need one cup of water and one cup of sugar for this recipe.
Candy canes or peppermint sticks
This syrup is made by dissolving candy canes into a hot simple syrup. I bought a box of Spangler Natural Candy Canes because I wanted natural peppermint flavor, not artificial. Sometimes artificial peppermint flavor can have an off flavor, like old toothpaste. Definitely not the flavor we’re going for here! You’ll need six candy canes for the following recipe.
You can use any brand of peppermint flavored candy canes or peppermint sticks that you like. If you use red and white ones, you’ll get a bright pinkish red colored syrup. If you use red and green striped candy canes, I’m not sure what color you’ll end up with, but if color theory is any clue, it may be a dull brown. If you aren’t concerned with the color, use any colored candy canes you like.
How to make the syrup
In a small sauce pan, combine one cup of sugar, one cup of water, and six unwrapped candy canes. It’s helpful to break the candy canes up into smaller pieces so that they dissolve more quickly.
Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring periodically until all of the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until all of the candy canes have dissolved.
Safety Note: Please take care when boiling any syrup to avoid burns. Wear an oven mitt when stirring the syrup if it’s bubbling quite a bit or splattering at all.
Watch the syrup carefully and stir frequently as the candy cane bits will clump together and stick to the bottom of the pan. Frequent stirring will help them dissolve more quickly and prevent them from burning.
When the solids have fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool. When the syrup is room temperature, pour it into a glass bottle or jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Recipe substitutions and variations
Here are a few easy ways to customize this syrup.
Organic and dye-free
If you’d like to avoid artificial colors, you can try YumEarth Organic Candy Canes. They’re made with organic ingredients, dye-free, and allergen-friendly. I haven’t tried these yet but they sound great!
Other types of peppermint candy
As a note, you can also use peppermint candies like Starlight mints, which are essentially just candy canes in a small drop form. You’ll need to add more, to taste, to get the right amount of pepperminty flavor.
Peppermint extract
If you’d like an even simpler peppermint syrup, you can skip the candy and just add a dash of peppermint extract (again, for for natural over artificial flavor here) to equal parts sugar and water.
The amount of extract to add will depend on the brand of extract and it’s strength, but you could start with one teaspoon of extract per one cup of sugar and taste test from there.
Vanilla extract
If you want to add more depth of flavor to your syrup, add a half teaspoon of quality vanilla extract. Vanilla and peppermint are the perfect flavor pairing.
Ways to enjoy this candy cane syrup
There are many ways to use this syrup, from drinks to desserts to creative holiday breakfasts! Anywhere a peppermint flavor would work, you can try adding this syrup. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it.
Candy cane martinis
This classic holiday dessert drink tastes like a boozy candy cane milkshake. Add one and a half ounces of vodka, one ounce of candy cane syrup, and one ounce of heavy cream to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Make it extra special by rimming the glass with crushed candy canes. Make it a mocktail by combining two parts heavy cream with one part candy candy syrup. Get the Candy Cane Martini Recipe.
More holiday drink recipes to enjoy:
Peppermint hot chocolate
Who doesn’t love peppermint and chocolate? Add one ounce of candy cane syrup per cup of hot cocoa. Learn how to make hot chocolate from scratch.
Peppermint mocha latte
Add one ounce of candy candy syrup and one ounce of chocolate syrup to two shots of espresso and eight ounces of milk. You can adjust this recipe to your taste, but this is a good place to start! You can also make this with hot or iced coffee instead of espresso.
Drizzled over ice cream
Candy cane syrup is insanely delicious drizzled over vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Top with freshly made whipped cream and crushed candy cane bits for the ultimate candy cane dessert.
Candy cane chocolate pancakes
Now make the ultimate holiday breakfast treat – drizzle candy cane syrup over indulgent chocolate pancakes!
More fun syrup recipes:
Candy Cane Simple Syrup
This easy simple syrup recipe is flavored with peppermint candy canes for a fun, seasonal ingredient that’s perfect for drinks and desserts.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 6 candy canes I used Spangler
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Break the candy canes into several smaller pieces each. Combine the broken candy canes, sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until all of the sugar has dissolved.
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce and simmer, stirring frequently, for 5-10 minutes, or until all of the candy cane pieces have dissolved. Frequent stirring will ensure that the candy cane pieces dissolve more readily and don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. USE CAUTION when stirring bubbling syrup to avoid burns.
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Once fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool. Once the syrup is room temperature, pour it into a glass bottle or jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
