From cafés to bars and restaurants to tea houses, flavored drinks are the new norm. With year-round flavors like caramel and vanilla or seasonal ones like pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha, many customers want their beverages to taste just a bit more special! However, premade syrups can only take you so far. They may taste different than expected, or maybe they don’t even make the flavor you want. But, have you ever considered making your own beverage syrups in-house? If you’re not sure where to start, read on for Caitlin Normann’s tea syrup recipe as well as her recommendations on flavoring lattes, lemonades, and more!

Making Your Own Tea Syrup

Making your own tea syrup is an easy way to flavor drinks and elevate your menu! You can control how strongly your syrups will taste and ensure they complement the final product.

While this recipe can be adjusted according to personal preference, we recommend that you always use a 1:1 ratio for your water and sugar.

Ingredients

1 cup + 100g water, separated
1 cup sugar
12-20g loose leaf tea (amount used depends on tea selection and desired strength)

Directions

1. Heat 100g water to the brewing temperature recommended for the loose leaf tea you’ve selected. Once your water reaches the ideal temperature, add your tea leaves and steep. If you’re unsure about steep time or temperature, refer to the brewing graphic we’ve included alongside this recipe!
2. After your tea finishes steeping, strain tea leaves and discard. Set brewed tea aside.
3. Bring remaining water to a boil and add sugar.
4. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved and then lower your heat.
5. Pour brewed tea into sugar water and stir until your syrup has reduced. Remove from heat to cool.
6. Once your tea syrup has cooled, transfer to a jar.
7. Add to your beverage of choice and serve!

Tea Syrup Recommendations from RTNY

As mentioned, you can modify the above recipe to suit whichever tea you choose, and don’t be afraid to experiment! To get you started, we’ve provided a few ideas for teas that work great as beverage syrups.

Earl Grey

For a lemonade or other citrus-forward beverage, try adding an Earl Grey syrup! This timeless blend will add a dose of caffeine to your drink, and notes of bergamot will complement existing citrus flavors. For a twist on an Earl Grey beverage, try making a Blue Lavender Simple Syrup.

Shop Earl Grey

Masala Chai

To give your drink a spicy kick, make a chai syrup! If you want to offer dirty chai lattes but find the amount of work required daunting, then this is a great way to serve a stellar beverage.

Shop Masala Chai

Organic Peppermint c/s

Now that a new season is quickly approaching, it’s almost time for that quintessential winter flavor: peppermint! Use peppermint tea to make a minty and refreshing syrup that will work wonderfully in holiday-themed drinks.

Shop Organic Peppermint c/s

Blue Bellini

The blue hue of this tea blend makes for a fun simple syrup that can change the color of your drinks! Add to lemonade or any acidic-based drink and watch as it turns from blue to pink.

Shop Blue Bellini

Shop All Tea