Toasted Coconut Simple Syrup

When toasted coconut is steeped in a vanilla bean simple syrup, something magical happens. It's a touch tropical, very inviting and entirely delicious. A Toasted Coconut Simple Syrup is perfect for a warm cup of coffee, a steamy latte, matcha, tea, summery cocktails, or to drizzle on pancakes or French toast.

Coconut is one of my favorite flavors, and I adore it in drinks and desserts. At my local coffee shop, I always order an iced vanilla coconut latte with oatmilk, and it's always a highlight of my day. Speaking of, I enjoyed one this morning, and it was delightful. Perks of having a friend as a barista.

This simple syrup is way more delicious than anything you could buy at the grocery store or online, because we're not fooling around with coconut extracts or artificial flavors. You can definitely add a splash of coconut extract to take this over the top, but I love it as is. 

Ingredients for Toasted Coconut Syrup

- unsweetened coconut flakes

- granulated sugar

- water

- vanilla bean paste

- kosher salt

- coconut extract, optional

  

Steps to Make a Toasted Coconut Simple Syrup

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Evenly spread coconut on the parchment and place in the oven to toast. Keep an eye on it and don’t walk away while it’s in the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes until it’s golden. Remove from the oven immediately and let cool. Crush the toasted coconut in a plastic bag to break into smaller pieces and to release even more flavor.

2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, water, and toasted coconut. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, and stir occasionally until all sugar has dissolved.

3. Remove from heat, add vanilla bean paste (or extract) and coconut extract (if using), and let all ingredients steep for 10 minutes.

4. Using a fine mesh sieve, pour the syrup into a clean jar for storing, straining out the coconut. Allow to cool.

5. After cooling, place a lid on the syrup and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Use for coffee, tea, matcha, cocktails, and mixed drinks. My favorite use is in this Toasted Coconut Shaken Espresso.

Tools for Making Toasted Coconut Syrup for Drinks

- baking sheet

- parchment paper sheets

- a rubber spatula: here's my very favorite one. I have it in many colors, and I've never found a better spatula. Worth. Every. Penny.

- small saucepan

- fine mesh sieve: for straining the syrup

- plastic squeeze bottles: for storing

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How to Store Homemade Flavored Simple Syrups

I like to keep my syrups either in a glass jar with a lid or in squeeze bottles for easy use. If kept cold and closed, the syrups will last about a month or two in the refrigerator.

- Find the tall glass jars I use here.

- Find pour spout lids for glass jars here.

- Find plastic squeeze bottles here.

Other Drinks to Mix Up

• The perfect use of this delicious syrup is in this Toasted Coconut Shaken Espresso. It's delicious and full of toasty, coconutty flavor.

• When in doubt, coffee is always the answer. You can never go wrong with a classic Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso. It’s easy, non dairy, and so delicious.

• For a relaxing night in, a Gingerbread Chai is the perfect thing to sip on. The homemade gingerbread syrup is the perfect addition to coffee drinks and cocktails, and I'm here to proclaim that gingerbread is not just a holiday flavor.

• Perfectly spiced, a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte pairs well with just about anything. The homemade syrup is easy to throw together and uses lots of real spices and pumpkin puree. Nothing fake here! and, who says this has to be a fall-only drink.

• Need an impressive drink for any girls night or evening in? A Classic Sidecar Cocktail will be a showstopper. It’s traditional and simple, but it’s a great drink for any occasion.

And Treats to Enjoy With Them

• Double Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats are delicious on their own, but when paired with a fun drink - they're even better.

• Biscotti is just begging to be dunked in coffee, and that's essentially what it was created for. If you've never tried homemade biscotti, you truly haven't experienced biscotti yet!! My go-to biscotti are these Blueberry Orange Biscotti with pistachios, plus they're gluten free.

• One of my favorite, elevated cookies are these Bourbon Chocolate Cherry Cookies packed with bourbon soaked cherries, dark chocolate chunks, and oats. They're frequently on the baking roster and for very good reason.

• I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the classic Gluten Free Coffee Cake Cookie. They’re easy to make and are so delicious to snack on while sipping on coffee with friends or in the company of your favorite tv show. My show of choice will always be Gilmore Girls. :)

    

Made the recipe?

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