Cardamom Syrup

Make the best homemade cardamom syrup infused with vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus – perfect for coffee, chai, and desserts! Plus, it's ready to enjoy in just 15 minutes!

Quick, Easy, and Versatile Cardamom Simple Syrup

Simple syrups are a versatile flavoring - popularly used in hot drinks, lemonade, and various desserts – and readily available in many grocery stores/ online In several flavors.

Unfortunately, most commercial versions come with a surprisingly high price tag considering simple syrup is just a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, simmered until the sugar dissolves, optionally infused with other flavors.

Luckily, that means they’re really simple to prepare at home, just like this 6-ingredient cardamom syrup (which isn’t a flavor you’ll find at most grocery stores). This vanilla cardamom syrup is fragrant, flavorful, and a unique way to flavor tons of drinks and dishes. Better yet, it’s quick and simple to make.

What Does Cardamom Taste Like?

While a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg or cloves is popularly used as a cardamom replacement, there’s much more to its flavor. In fact, cardamom comes from the seed pods of plants within the ginger family.

It has a strong, pungent aroma with a flavor that, while warm and slightly sweet, like cinnamon and nutmeg, is also spicy/peppery, earthy, with a hint of floral, fruity citrus.

Because of that, combining this aromatic ingredient with ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus peel helps to balance and enhance the cardamom flavor for a homemade cardamom syrup that’s out of this world!

The Ingredients

This 6-ingredients cardamom syrup pairs cardamom with complementary warm and aromatic flavors.

• Cardamom pods: I prefer whole green cardamom pods, but any cardamom seeds will work (about 1-1 ½ teaspoon of seeds). Avoid ground cardamom.
• Sugar: For the ‘cleanest’ flavor, it’s best to use regular granulated white sugar (use organic sugar to ensure it’s vegan).

However, you can experiment with other types. I.e., brown sugar, demerara, turbinado, muscovado, coconut sugar, etc. Obviously, the flavor and color will differ.

• Water: To make up the base of this cardamom simple syrup recipe.
• Citrus peel: A combination of orange and lemon peels adds a bright, tangy, citrusy flavor depth that perfectly complements cardamom. Use just one or the other, if preferred, though.
• Cinnamon: A cinnamon stick works best to avoid gritty syrup.
• Vanilla extract: Use pure, natural vanilla extract for the best flavor or even a sliced open vanilla pod if you have one.

What Could I Add To This Cardamom Syrup Recipe?

• Nutmeg: Just a little will enhance the warmth of the syrup further.
• Ginger: Add a small amount of grated ginger for a kick to the syrup.
• Rose: Add rose water or edible rose petals to make a fragrant rose cardamom syrup.
• Orange blossom water: Instead of rose, this floral water will also add a delicate yet aromatic depth to the syrup. Add ½ teaspoon or more, to taste.
• Orange juice: To make more of a pronounced orange cardamom syrup, replace a small amount of the water with orange juice.

How to Make Cardamom Syrup

• 1) First, gently crush the cardamom pods with a rolling pin, mortar and pestle, or the bottom of a heavy glass, and slice the lemon and orange peel.

• 2) Transfer the cardamom pods to a small saucepan and lightly toast them over medium heat for about a minute until fragrant.

• 3) Add the remaining ingredients (water, sugar, lemon & orange peel, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick), then stir until the sugar completely dissolves.

If you’re using vanilla extract (vs. a pod), you may prefer to add it at the end, so no flavor is ‘cooked off.’

• 4) Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes for the flavors to infuse and the syrup to reduce and thicken slightly.

For a thin simple syrup, skip step 4. Instead, leave all the add-ins in the syrup to infuse while it cools before straining them.

• 5) Pour the citrus vanilla cardamom simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into an airtight bottle or mason jar. Enjoy!

Pro Recipe Tips

• Use fresh cardamom: To ensure its flavor is at its best.
• Adjust the ratio: Simple syrup combines equal parts sugar & water, simmering only until the sugar dissolves. Rich syrup uses a 2:1 ratio for a thicker, richer syrup (and extra natural preservative power). Alternatively, simmer the syrup to thicken and reduce it slightly.
• Don’t boil it: Bring the syrup to the point of ‘just’ boiling and immediately lower it to a simmer. Otherwise, it can cause a bitter/ burned flavor.
• To make low-sugar cardamom syrup: While using a sugar alternative is possible, the syrup will be thinner, and the shelf life may be affected.

How to Use Cardamom Simple Syrup?

• Use it as a cardamom coffee syrup in hot or iced coffee, tea, and chai masala
• In vegan hot chocolate
• To flavor mocktails or lemonade
• Add flavor to a fruit salad
• Poach pears or plums with it
• Add it to vegan sorbets
• Brush it over layer cakes and cupcakes
• Flavor vegan whipped cream or vegan frosting with it
• Mix it into oatmeal or dairy-free yogurt
• Drizzle it over vegan pancakes, waffles, and French toast
• Gift it to others

Cardamom pairs particularly with flavors like chai, coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, pear, plums, apple, ginger, vanilla, etc.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Allow it to cool, then store the cardamom syrup in an airtight glass bottle/jar in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

Freezer: I like to store homemade syrups in an ice cube tray. Because of the sugar, it won’t freeze solid, but you can freeze it for up to 6 months.

Related Recipes

• 2-Ingredient Raspberry Syrup
• Easy Cranberry Pear Sauce

If you try this homemade cardamom syrup recipe (as written or with changes), I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla