It is that time of year again to start thinking about holiday gift giving ideas. This year, I have an overwhelming desire to create my own gifts. Many of my friends, family, and coworkers are coffee enthusiasts so I had the idea of incorporating gifts around their love of coffee this year.

Here is a simple yet unique idea for creating your own flavored coffee syrups that you can utilize to create custom coffees. If you are making these as gifts, make a few different flavors and put them into decorative glass bottles.

Vanilla Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup caramel (store bought or make your own).

Peppermint Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
4 teaspoons peppermint extract

Maple Vanilla Syrup

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
6 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 cup maple syrup

Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Mocha Syrup

1 cup dry cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 teaspoons vanilla

Hazelnut Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Cinnamon Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Warm Spice Syrup

2 cups sugar
2 cup water
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
4 teaspoons cloves

Pumpkin Pie Spice Syrup

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cloves

Directions:

1. In a small pot heat your water and sugar over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Stir in your remaining ingredients.
3. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring to make sure all ingredients are dissolved.
4. Allow to cool.
5. Pour into a dispenser.
6. Use immediately or store in refrigerator.

Gingerbread Syrup

2 cups water
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 whole star anise
10 whole cloves

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients and simmer gently on medium heat.
2. Cook for approximate 15-20 minutes until thickened.
3. Allow to cool
4. Pour into a dispenser
5. Use immediately or store in refrigerator

Berry Syrup

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 1/2 cup fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, OR strawberries

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar, water and berries in a small saucepan
2. Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved
3. Decrease the heat to low, simmer for 10-15 minutes
4. Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids
5. Allow to cool
6. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator

Tips:

• To make any of the above mentioned recipes sugarfree, substitute 2 cups ofSplenda for the sugar (1:1 ratio).
• To make any of the above mentioned recipes PALEO, substitute HALF sugar called for with honey.
• The brown sugar can be substituted for maple syrup (use HALF called for).
• Shake your syrups slightly before using.
• Add about 2-3 tablespoons of syrup per cup of coffee.
• If gifting these coffee syrups, add ribbons or decorative labels, like these found at VistaPrint.

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