Start by gathering all your ingredients. You’ll need water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and a splash of vanilla extract. Make sure you have everything at hand to streamline the cooking process.
In a small saucepan, combine the water and brown sugar. Stir the mixture over medium heat, allowing it to dissolve completely. This usually takes about one to three minutes. You’ll notice a beautiful caramel color starting to form.
Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cinnamon sticks to the saucepan. These will infuse their rich flavor into the syrup as it cooks.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about ten minutes. You’ll start to smell the warm, inviting scent of cinnamon filling your kitchen.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This is the moment when the flavor really comes together, so don’t skip it!
Cover the saucepan and let the syrup steep for at least four hours, or longer if you desire a stronger cinnamon flavor. I recommend making the syrup a day ahead for the best results.
After the steeping time, remove the cinnamon sticks. You’ll want to strain the syrup to ensure it’s smooth and free from any bits of spice.
Transfer the syrup to an airtight container. A glass jar works perfectly for this. It’s tempting to taste it right away, but give it some time to chill in the fridge.
Store the syrup in the fridge for up to three weeks. You’ll be ready to sweeten your drinks and dishes with ease!