Strainer with cardamom pods over a light yellow liquid in a measuring cup.
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Cardamom Simple Syrup – Made with Whole Pods

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Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Steeping Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Cardamom Simple Syrup adds a subtle spiced flavor to lattes, cocktails, and desserts. Made with cardamom pods, sugar, and water, it offers gentle warmth and a unique floral aroma.
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By Candice Walker on March 25, 2025 (Last updated March 25, 2025). This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Sweet, easy Cardamom Simple Syrup is a must-have item in your pantry to add a subtle spiced flavor to lattes, cocktails, and desserts. Cardamom spice creates a gentle, cozy warmth and I love its unique floral aromatic quality. You only need cardamom pods, sugar, and water to make this syrup, and in return, you get a high-quality syrup you can use in several ways.

Light yellow syrup in a narrow glass behind a strainer with cardamom pods.

🌟 Why Make Homemade Simple Syrup?

Yes, you can buy simple syrup at the store, but I prefer to make my own at home. Here’s why.

  • You’re in control of the ingredients: My recipe uses only three ingredients to make a tasty, sweet simple syrup. Most simple syrups you’ll find at the supermarket have multiple ingredients, including flavorings and shelf-life enhancers. My recipe is quick and not fussy at all.
  • You’re in control of the flavor: I often find the flavor of simple syrups too overwhelming or way too sweet, so I like to make my own to balance the flavor. I tested this by using both cardamom pods and ground cardamom, steeping them for different intervals to find the perfect infusion time.
  • Adaptable and versatile: Once you have a flavored syrup, it can be used in so many different ways in your baking and drinks. I especially love this recipe to sweeten my Persian tea and to amp up the cardamom flavor in this Cardamom Golden Milk Latte.

🧾 Ingredients in This Recipe

Sugar, water, and cardamom pods on a countertops.
  • Why use whole cardamom pods? Steeping the cardamom pods in the syrup imparts great flavor without being overwhelming. Ground powder will not work for this recipe – it will be grainy in texture.

Many cardamom simple syrup recipes add in vanilla extract, but I didn’t feel this syrup needed it. The cardamom spice already shines through beautifully and I believe the vanilla extract masks the cardamom flavor instead of enhancing it.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

👩‍🍳How to Make This Recipe

  • Cloudy liquid with cardamom pods in a metal saucepan.
    Add sugar, cardamom, and water to a large saucepan. Turn the heat to medium, and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let it come to a light simmer, but not a rolling boil, for 1 minute.
  • Clear liquid with cardamom pods in a metal saucepan.
    Remove the syrup from the heat and let it steep, covered, for 1 hour.
  • Strainer with cardamom pods over a light yellow liquid in a measuring cup.
    Strain and transfer your syrup to a sealed container in the refrigerator until it’s ready to use. This syrup will keep for up to one month.

🍭 How to use Cardamom Simple Syrup

I love using cardamom simple syrup to add a floral twist to my hot drinks and desserts. I’ll often stir it into my tea for an added touch of warmth. I usually start with a small splash and adjust to taste, and recommend you do the same.

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Strainer with cardamom pods over a light yellow liquid in a measuring cup.

Cardamom Simple Syrup – Made with Whole Pods

No ratings yet
Cardamom Simple Syrup adds a subtle spiced flavor to lattes, cocktails, and desserts. Made with cardamom pods, sugar, and water, it offers gentle warmth and a unique floral aroma.
Author: Candice Walker
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Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Steeping Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 20
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American, Persian
Calories: 43

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar granulated, cane, turbinado, or brown
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 cardamom pods cracked open

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Add your sugar, cardamom, and water to a large saucepan. Turn the heat to medium, and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved in the water. Let it come to a light simmer, but not a rolling boil for 1 minute.
    1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 15 cardamom pods
  2. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it steep, covered, for 30 minutes.
  3. Strain and transfer your syrup to a sealed container in the refrigerator until it's ready to use.

Notes

Transfer your simple syrup to a sealed container and keep in the refrigerator until ready for use. Keeps for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Calories43kcalCarbohydrates11gProtein0.2gFat0.1gSaturated Fat0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat0.01gMonounsaturated Fat0.01gSodium1mgPotassium17mgFiber0.4gSugar10gVitamin C0.3mgCalcium6mgIron0.2mg

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🍭 More Easy and Tasty Simple Syrup Flavors

These syrups would be perfect for cocktails, mocktails, sodas, smoothies, shakes, and lemonades.

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