Yes, real maple syrup tastes better. It would also cost $20 every Saturday for my family to put it on their pancakes.

2 c. sugar

1 c. water

Boil together until the thread stage (230-233 degrees, liquid runs off spoon in a thread). This takes a long time and is a good job for a stove-ready kid. After reaching your temp goal, stir in 1 tsp. of any flavoring or extract, or any odd smallish quantity of fruit you have haunting your freezer. Leftovers can be saved in fridge for a good long time.