Pandan Syrup

This super easy pandan syrup can be used for many Southeast Asian desserts and drinks. It is so easy to make and will take you less than 15 minutes to get ready for any recipe. All you need is pandan extract/juice and sugar and you are ready to create the Southeast Asian’s natural version of vanilla flavor.

What is pandan syrup?

Pandan syrup is exactly what you think it is. 

It is sweetened pandan juice/extract and it only requires a pot and a few ingredients. Once you have extracted the pandan. Here is my easy recipe to make pandan extract/juice

Use the pandan extract and sugar to make the simple pandan syrup.

Made from pandan leaves that are also called screwpine leaves. It’s much more common in North America now compared to a decade ago, but it has been a very common ingredient in south Asian cuisine.  It is a bright green plant and it has floral vanilla taste with hints of nutty grassy flavors. 

What does it taste like?

The syrup is sweet and earthy with grassy nutty notes. The sugar adds sweetness to the pandan extract.

What is it used for?

Coffee – Use this in coffee to add an earthy and vanilla flavor.

Drinks – Add this to elevate your milk with grassy jelly. Or make a perfect pandan milk tea with boba. You can even use it to make alcoholic cocktails (Not my area of expertise!).

Desserts – Top this simple pandan syrup over any Asian desserts to add a nice grassy sweetness. You can even use this syrup for Vietnamese Pandan Waffle Recipe.

Ingredients and variations

Pandan extract/juice: Here is my recipe for pandan extract/juice. Only 2 ingredients needed and a powerful blender and you will have pandan extract in less than 10 minutes.

Sugar: Any sugar will work. For this recipe, I use white granulated sugar but brown or can sugar will work as well.

How to store

Once the pandan syrup has cooled to room temperature. Store the syrup in an air-tight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to 1 week. Leaving it out will cause mold as the ingredients are all-natural.

Expert Tips

Boiling on medium-low heat for 20 minutes will create a thicker syrup. If you prefer a thicker consistency boil it for 20 minutes to reduce the liquid.

If you are tight on time even boil until the sugar has dissolved will work as well. 

Recipe FAQs

Can pandan syrup be used for cocktails?

Yes absolutely! However, I am not an expert in making alcoholic cocktails. Pandan Syrup adds a floral taste to many cocktail recipes such as mojitos and old fashion. I’m not an expert but one day I would love to give this syrup a try in an alcoholic drink.

Will adding Pandan Syrup turn my drinks green?

Pandan Syrup comes out looking green, however simply adding this will not achieve your desired green color. If you wish to use this to add a natural green color to your food its best to also add in green food colouring. Pandan Syrup is really used for enhancing the flavor and adding a vanilla floral taste.

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