Most flavored syrups are based around the appropriately named simple syrup. This is just equal parts water and granulated sugar heated up until the sugar dissolves. This makes the sugar easily mixable for both hot and iced drinks (but especially iced). With that base recipe, you can add almost any flavor you want to make vanilla, hazelnut and even ginger syrups!

*We'll start with the most basic recipe and then an alternative one if you want to be a little more fancy.

• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together water, sugar and vanilla.
2. Mix until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Allow to cool and store in a covered glass jar in the fridge.  

Alternative Recipe:

• 1 3/4 Cups Water
• 1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1 Vanilla Bean, split in half
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together water, sugars and vanilla bean.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
3. Simmer until sugar is dissolved, turn off heat and add the vanilla extract.
4. Once it has cooled, remove the vanilla bean and pour into a glass jar. Store in the fridge.

*This one is a little more involved with the instructions, but is more or less the same and simple!

• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 Cups Water (divided)
• 1 tsp Caramel Flavored Extract

Instructions:

1. Combine sugar and 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium once the mixture comes to a boil. Do not stir.
3. Let the syrup continue to boil until it turns a light golden color. This will take approximately 10 minutes. Be careful to keep an eye on the syrup the entire time since it can burn quickly after turning light golden.
4. While waiting for syrup to carmelize to the light golden color, heat up remaining 3/4 cup of water and set aside.
5. Immediately remove the syrup from heat as soon as it turns light golden color.
6. Quickly stir in remaining 3/4 cup of water and caramel flavor. Be careful as hot syrup may splatter when water is added. If any of the syrup hardens, return the saucepan to the stove over low heat, stirring until harden syrup turns back to liquid.
7. Let the caramel syrup cool and then pour into a container.

To wrap things up on flavored syrups, they're quite simple to make and are useful to have on hand! You can alter and perfect these recipes however you want. Want ginger syrup? Use some shredded ginger! Want a raspberry syrup? Add a cup of fresh raspberries and strain! There's so much you can do to step up your at home creations whether you're making coffee, cocktails or soda!

Cheers!