By Katie Vance
This easy to make sugar free simple syrup is a perfect addition to your favorite hot drink. It is a stevia simple syrup so it’s natural and calorie-free.
Out With the Sugar and In With the Stevia
Just one year ago, my favorite thing to do was to stop and grab a coffee. Iced or hot, fancy or simple, you could almost always find me at the drive-thru. Until I had a little health scare at my yearly checkup.
It seems that my A1C, a test that measures average blood glucose levels over several months, was high. So high that my doctor wanted to start me on medication. I asked him for some time to change my ways and to lower those numbers. He hesitantly agreed.
Starting that day, I cut all sugar from my diet. I avoided fake sugar substitutes as well because they are also rumored to affect insulin production/processing. Stevia became my best friend. And I love this sugar free stevia simple syrup recipe!
Getting Used to Stevia
It took me a long time to get used to the taste of stevia, but now it hardly bothers me at all. I use pure stevia extract in baking, beverages, and anywhere that I would have used sugar. It’s so potent that I need just a tiny pinch to sweeten things.
Going sugar-free enabled me to lower my A1C to a healthy range in just three months. It also helped me drop 25 pounds (and counting!). Plus, it has helped my budget significantly! Now I prefer to make my coffees at home and bring them along or just forgo them altogether.
A Stevia Based Sugar-Free Simple Syrup
However, this autumn, I have been sorely missing my favorite pumpkin latte. I decided that I would make my own healthy version, starting with an easy to make sugar free spiced simple syrup made with stevia. While not exactly like what I remember, it is pretty close!
Because it’s an Autumn this sugar-free simple syrup all starts with spices. I bring water, a cinnamon stick, some cloves, and a splash of vanilla to a boil. The aroma is outstanding!
Then I add in a little bit of pure, stevia extract. I prefer the kind without any additives. I allow this mixture to simmer until it has reduced by at least half. Then I allow it to cool, strain out the spices, and store in a container in the refrigerator. I add it to my favorite drinks as a lovely spiced sweetener.
It is so easy to make and really takes only a few minutes! Also, it’s a great thing to have on hand for company. Below I will share my favorite way to use this simple syrup in a delicious Pumpkin Latte.
Spiced Sugar-Free Simple Syrup Recipe
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Active Time
- 10 minutes
- Total Time
- 20 minutes
- Servings
- 8 ounces
- Courses
- Condiment, Drinks
- Cuisine
- American
- Estimated Cost
- $1
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 sweet cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon stevia extract (You can also use green stevia powder)
Instructions
-
In a small saucepan on medium heat, bring water, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a boil.
-
Add stevia extract and stir well.
-
Lower heat to a simmer and simmer until reduced by about half. Approximately 10-15 minutes.
-
Allow to cool, then remove spices and pour the syrup into a glass storage container.
-
Store in the refrigerator for one week. Discard remaining after a week.
Notes
If you don't this to be a spiced syrup simply leave out the cloves and cinnamon.
Nutrition:
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Below is my absolute favorite way to use this sugar-free spiced simple syrup. Sometimes I even double this recipe and have half hot and half iced. It’s just that good!
DIY Sugar-Free Pumpkin Latte
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup strong coffee or 1 shot of espresso
- 1 cup milk (coconut, almond, or oat milk works well too!)
- 2-3 tablespoons Sugar-Free Stevia Simple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
Instructions
- In a small saucepan on low heat, combine milk, pumpkin puree, and simple syrup. Stir well to fully incorporate
- Heat until steaming
- Pour into a large mug of warm coffee, stir well
- Add creamer if desired
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to eat less sugar but still like to enjoy seasonal treats like me, try this stevia-based sugar-free simple syrup. I’m confident you’ll like it!
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You said we can also use the green powder. How much to equal the teaspoon of stevia extract?
I would start with the same amount and increase to taste. I haven’t worked much with green stevia, so I am not sure how potent it will be.
I too am an ex sugar junkie. A1C got me. Went straight KETO and dropped 30lbs. Still dropping.
I think this recipe is a winner for my wife. Pumpkin spice anything addict.
Thanks
That is wonderful Richard! Enjoy!
Living in Vermont there are ticks here. I had lyme disease and could not have sugar. I so happy to be able to use stevia instead when I wanted something sweet. It does not always work as well as sugar in certain things but I rarely use sugar now even when there is not lyme scare. I still get ticks on me and just cut out the sugar altogether and use only stevia. Great stuff and true, no calories. I will make this syrup and that pumpkin latte, Thanks. I am off sugar now thanks to a couple of ticks so this comes just in time.