Easy Sugar Water for Hummingbirds
A simple, safe, and effective homemade nectar recipe using just sugar and water to attract and nourish hummingbirds year-round.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 5 cups of nectar (serves multiple hummingbirds) 1x
- Category: Bird Feed
- Cuisine: N/A
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 grams) white granulated sugar
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
Instructions
- Measure 1 cup (200 grams) of white granulated sugar and 4 cups (960 ml) of water.
- Boil the water in a saucepan to eliminate impurities and help dissolve the sugar (optional but recommended).
- Remove the water from heat and stir in the sugar until completely dissolved, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Let the sugar water cool to room temperature before filling your hummingbird feeder.
- Use a funnel if needed to pour the nectar into the feeder carefully and hang it outside where hummingbirds visit.
- Clean the feeder every 3-4 days by emptying leftover nectar and washing with hot soapy water to prevent mold or fermentation.
Notes
Use pure white granulated sugar only; avoid raw, brown sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, or red dye. Boiling water is recommended to kill bacteria and dissolve sugar fully. Cool nectar completely before filling feeders. Change nectar every 3-4 days or sooner if cloudy or fermented. Store leftover nectar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Avoid direct sunlight on feeders to prevent fermentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup per fe
- Calories: 774
- Sugar: 200
- Carbohydrates: 200
Keywords: hummingbird nectar, sugar water for hummingbirds, homemade hummingbird food, hummingbird feeder recipe, safe hummingbird nectar