Why You'll Love It
- Just 4 ingredients, no special equipment
- Whole cinnamon sticks steep in, so the spice is warm and rounded — not sharp
- Works hot or iced, in coffee or well beyond it
- Keeps in the fridge for weeks — make it once, use it constantly
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 to 2 tsp almond extract, to taste
Directions
- Combine and heat. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks. Set over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Steep. Remove from the heat and let the cinnamon steep for 15 minutes to maximize flavor.
- Finish. Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks. Stir in the almond extract. Let cool completely.
- Store. Transfer to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate.
Storage & Shelf Life
This is a standard cane sugar syrup, so it keeps around 3–4 weeks in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Let it cool completely before sealing — trapping steam in a closed jar creates condensation that shortens shelf life. If it ever smells off or looks cloudy in a way it didn't before, discard it regardless of how long it's been.
Ways to Use It
- Stir into hot coffee in place of sugar — dissolves clean, no grit
- Add to iced coffee or cold brew before the milk
- Sweeten hot or iced tea
- Stir into lemonade or sparkling water for a homemade almond-cinnamon soda
- Drizzle over yogurt, pancakes, or waffles
- Swirl into oatmeal for a bakery-adjacent breakfast
Featured Drink
Sally's building a full drink recipe around this syrup this week — [link coming soon] — so check back if you want the exact build. In the meantime, this syrup is straightforward enough to drop into your own iced latte or cold brew today: start with a tablespoon over ice, add your coffee, top with milk, and adjust from there.
Product Suggestions
This syrup works with your favorite medium roast, freshly brewed espresso, or cold brew concentrate — it's built to be evergreen, not tied to one specific bag of coffee. If you want a pairing that leans into the almond side, Nuts About You brings its own toasted almond and pecan character that plays nicely alongside the syrup rather than competing with it.
Make a batch on Sunday, and by Tuesday you'll have used it in ways you didn't plan for. That's the whole point of a good syrup.
FAQ
How much almond extract should I use?
Start with 1 teaspoon and taste before adding more. Almond extract is potent — 2 teaspoons gives a noticeably stronger almond presence, but 1 is plenty for most drinks.
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks?
Whole cinnamon sticks steep cleanly and leave the syrup smooth; ground cinnamon will leave sediment at the bottom of the jar. If it's all you have, whisk it in and strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth before bottling.
How long does almond cinnamon syrup last?
About 3–4 weeks in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, same as any standard cane sugar syrup.
How much syrup should I use per drink?
A tablespoon per 8–12 oz drink is a reasonable starting point — adjust up or down to taste from there.
