Vanilla syrup is a fragrant, amber-hued infusion made by simmering sugar and water with split vanilla beans or pure extract until it transforms into a silky, aromatic sweetener. Thanks to the complex vanillin compounds and floral undertones of the bean, it delivers warm, velvety, and comforting notes—often elevated with a tiny pinch of sea salt or a splash of brown sugar for depth—making lattes, old fashioneds, and homemade sodas taste richer, more sophisticated, and more "bakery-fresh" than plain simple syrup.