How to Make Simple Syrup

There’s no need to buy Simple Syrup! In just 5 minutes and using sugar and water you can have your own homemade simple syrup for drinks, cocktails, or even cakes.

What is Simple Syrup Used For

Simple syrup, also known as sugar syrup, blends perfectly with other liquids and is an indispensable ingredient for cocktails and other beverages. It adds a smooth sweetness and is the basis for many other syrups such as Strawberry Simple Syrup and Raspberry Simple Syrup. It’s also easy to make with only 2 ingredients: water and sugar.

Some additional uses for simple syrup are:

• In cocktails. The most common use is to mix it into cocktails or use it as the base for Homemade Sour Mix.
• Beverages like sweet tea and lemonade. Use the simple syrup to sweeten iced beverages.
• Use it for cakes. This is a great trick for making super moist cakes. Many bakes use the simple syrup for cakes.
• Add it wherever you’d use regular syrup. You can top off your pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal, or even drizzle some on a yogurt parfait.
• Gift it as a gift. Place it in a beautiful bottle, add a label, and you’ve got a great gift.

Ingredients Needed

• Sugar – to prepare the standard simple syrup you will need to use granulated sugar, but you can also use other versions of sugar to make ones like Brown Sugar Syrup or Demerara Simple Syrup. Natural sweeteners such as honey and maple sugar will also work.
• Water – there’s nothing fancy about this ingredient. It’s just plain water and whether you want to use filtered or unfiltered is up to you.

Instructions

It only takes 5 minutes to prepare homemade simple syrup. This essential cocktail sweetener is great for a variety of uses but is a key ingredient for any home mixologist.

1. Pour the sugar and water into the saucepan. Add equal parts sugar and water to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Use 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to get 3/4 cup of syrup.
2. Heat until the sugar dissolved. Continue to heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat.
3. Allow it to cool. Before using the syrup allow it to cool completely. Transfer the syrup to an airtight container or jar.

How to Store Simple Syrup

The simple syrup must be kept in an airtight container and stored in the fridge after you’ve prepared it. It will last for up to 1 month. Thankfully it’s easy to make so when you’re ready for a new batch you only need 5 minutes to make it.

How to make simple syrup last longer?

• Add vodka. After the syrup has cooled stir in 1 ounce of vodka, which will help slow the growth of bacteria or mold. This process will give you an additional 2 to 4 weeks of shelf-life.
• Freeze it. While it won’t freeze completely because of the sugar amount the temperature of the freezer will keep mold and bacteria growing.

Variations

• Make infused simple syrup with spices. This makes a great gift for any foodie or mixologist. Add some cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to the simple syrup mixture and allow it to heat for 10 to 15 minutes for the flavors to infuse completely.
• Use herbs for infused simple syrups. You can easily make a Rosemary Simple Syrup, which is great in coffee and lattes, or a Basil Simple Syrup.
• Create a fruit infused simple syrup. The possibilities are endless but some of my favorite options are Strawberry Simple Syrup or Raspberry Simple Syrup.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• You can adjust the ratio. The basic simple syrup recipe is a 1:1 ratio with the sugar and water measuring equally. For a much sweeter syrup, you can increase the sugar amount, which will also extend the shelf-life since sugar is a preservative, but also will make it thicker. You can also decrease the sugar and increase the water amount for a less sweet syrup.
• It’s not necessary to heat the syrup over the stove. You can use very warm water to dissolve the sugar straight from the tap. It will take a little longer for the sugar crystals to dissolve, but this method produces a more fluid syrup that’s less thick.
• How to tell if the simple syrup has gone bad? If the syrup itself looks cloudy or there is visible mold growth it’s time to toss it.

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