Sweet Red Cinnamon Syrup: What to Do with Leftover Pickle Brine

"I made cinnamon pickles and had a bunch of syrup left. I couldn't stand to pour it out so I canned it. Now I'm just wondering what I can do with a sweet red cinnamon syrup!" 🍓🔥

Homemade Sweet Red Cinnamon Syrup — too good to waste! 🍓🔥

"I made cinnamon pickles and had a bunch of syrup left. I couldn't stand to pour it out so I canned it. Now I'm just wondering what I can do with a sweet red cinnamon syrup!" 🍓🔥

There's a special kind of kitchen victory that comes from finding a use for something you'd otherwise throw away. Cinnamon pickle syrup — that gorgeous, ruby-red, spicy-sweet liquid left over after making cinnamon pickles (or pickled beets, or cinnamon apples) — is far too delicious to pour down the drain.

This sweet, aromatic syrup is packed with cinnamon warmth, tangy vinegar notes, and a beautiful red hue from red food coloring or natural beet juice. It's a versatile ingredient that can transform ordinary dishes into something special. Here's everything you can do with that liquid gold.

🔥 Why save pickle syrup? It's already flavored, sweetened, and preserved — why start from scratch when you have a perfectly good flavored syrup ready to use?

📌 In This Article

🍓 What Is Cinnamon Syrup? 🥫 How to Can Syrup 🍹 25+ Ways to Use ❓ FAQs

🍓 What Is Cinnamon Pickle Syrup?

🔥

Warm & Spicy

Rich cinnamon flavor with notes of clove and allspice — like liquid red hots candy.

🍬

Sweet & Tangy

A perfect balance of sugar and vinegar — not cloying, with a pleasant acidic kick.

🔴

Beautiful Red

The signature red color (from food coloring or beets) makes everything look festive.

🥫 How to Can Leftover Cinnamon Syrup

🥫 "I couldn't stand to pour it out so I canned it." — Smart thinking!

📦 Ingredients

• Leftover cinnamon pickle syrup (from pickled beets, cinnamon pickles, or cinnamon apples)
• Additional sugar or water (if needed to adjust consistency)
• Optional: Additional cinnamon sticks, star anise, or vanilla bean for extra flavor

📝 Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Syrup

Strain the leftover syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any pickle pieces or sediment. If the syrup is too thin, simmer to reduce and thicken. If too thick, add a splash of water.

Step 2 – Reheat

Pour the syrup into a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. This ensures it's hot enough for canning.

Step 3 – Sterilize Jars

Wash pint or half-pint jars and lids in hot soapy water. Sterilize by boiling for 10 minutes.

Step 4 – Fill Jars

Pour hot syrup into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Wipe rims clean.

Step 5 – Water Bath Can

Place lids and rings on jars (fingertip-tight). Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude).

Step 6 – Cool and Store

Remove jars and let cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

✅ Important: If your syrup contains vinegar (from pickle brine), it's high-acid and safe for water bath canning. If it's just sweet syrup without vinegar, treat it as a simple syrup — still safe, but best kept refrigerated.

🍹 25+ Ways to Use Sweet Red Cinnamon Syrup

🥞

Pancakes & Waffles
Cinnamon syrup topping

🍦

Ice Cream
Drizzle over vanilla or chocolate

☕

Coffee & Lattes
Homemade cinnamon syrup

🍎

Baked Apples
Drizzle before baking

🥧

Pie Glaze
Brush on apple pie crust

🍊

Cocktails
Cinnamon old fashioned or margarita

🍰

Cake Soak
Brush on cake layers

🍞

French Toast
Drizzle on top

🥓

Bacon Glaze
Brush on bacon before baking

🍯

Gift Jars
Beautiful homemade gifts

🔥 Pro Tip: This syrup makes an incredible addition to a holiday gift basket! Pair with pancake mix, coffee beans, or a festive mug.

📝 Make Cinnamon Syrup from Scratch

No leftover syrup? No problem! Here's a quick recipe to make your own cinnamon syrup from scratch.

📦 Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups granulated sugar (or brown sugar for deeper flavor)
• 4-6 cinnamon sticks (or 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon)
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional — for that classic red color)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/4 cup red beet juice (natural red color)

📝 Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in red food coloring (or beet juice) and vanilla extract.
4. Strain out cinnamon sticks if desired. Pour into sterilized jars.
5. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 months, or water bath can for 10 minutes for shelf stability.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Properly canned (water bath for 10 minutes), leftover pickle syrup lasts up to 1 year in a cool, dark pantry. If refrigerated in a sealed jar, it lasts 3-6 months.

Absolutely! It's fantastic in an Old Fashioned (replace simple syrup), cinnamon whiskey sour, or a holiday margarita (tequila + cinnamon syrup + lime).

Traditional cinnamon pickle recipes use red food coloring to achieve that signature ruby-red color. Some recipes use beet juice for natural coloring. The red color is purely cosmetic — the syrup tastes great either way!

Yes! Pour the syrup into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using. The texture may change slightly but the flavor remains excellent.

Cinnamon pickles (also called cinnamon cucumbers or candy pickles) are the classic source. Pickled beets also produce a beautiful red cinnamon syrup. Cinnamon apple rings are another option — they create a delicious apple-cinnamon syrup.

📄 Quick Reference: Uses for Cinnamon Syrup

╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                  SWEET RED CINNAMON SYRUP                             ║
║            "I couldn't stand to pour it out so I canned it."          ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

TO CAN LEFTOVER SYRUP:
- Strain syrup through sieve
- Reheat to a boil
- Pour into sterilized jars (½" headspace)
- Water bath can 10 minutes
- Store in cool, dark place up to 1 year

25+ USES:
🥞 Pancakes & waffles        🍦 Ice cream topping
☕ Coffee & lattes            🍎 Baked apples
🥧 Pie glaze                 🍰 Cake soak
🍊 Cocktails                 🥓 Bacon glaze
🍞 French toast              🎁 Homemade gifts

MAKE FROM SCRATCH:
- 2 cups water + 2 cups sugar
- 4-6 cinnamon sticks
- Simmer 15-20 minutes
- Add red food coloring & vanilla

FROM THE MAKER:
"I made cinnamon pickles and had a bunch of syrup 
left. I couldn't stand to pour it out so I canned it."
    

🔥 Ready to Make Your Own Cinnamon Syrup?

Find canning supplies, cinnamon sticks, and glass jars for your homemade syrup.

Shop Canning Supplies →

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Follow safe canning guidelines from the USDA or National Center for Home Food Preservation. Adjust processing times for your altitude.