By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 2
15 min
Palm Sugar Simple Syrup
Recipe GLPR610cc182586cf1
A simple yet elegant Southeast Asian syrup made by dissolving chopped palm sugar in warm water. This fragrant, caramel-like syrup serves as a versatile sweetener and finishing touch for desserts, beverages, and tropical drinks. Light, smooth, and ready in minutes.
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Ingredients
2 1/2 ounces palm sugar, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
Directions
Pour the water into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the chopped palm sugar to the simmering water, stirring constantly until completely dissolved, about 3–5 minutes. The mixture should become smooth and amber-colored.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.
Transfer to a serving vessel or storage container and use as a sweetener or dessert topping.
Comments
Palm sugar is not stocked at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Publix, Walmart, or ALDI in Charlotte—you will need to make a dedicated trip to an Asian market like H-Mart or a specialty grocer to find it, which is a real cost on a weeknight. At roughly $4 to $6 for a small package, the per-serving cost runs higher than standard granulated sugar syrup, though the warm caramel flavor justifies it for cocktails or desserts. The 15-minute estimate is accurate for the actual cooking, but budget an extra 10 minutes for locating the ingredient and making the store run. This is a small-batch specialty condiment best suited to someone already committed to a particular drink or dish, not a pantry staple for improvisation.
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