Hey there, I’m Austin from “Beyond The Bayou Blog“! Today, I want to share something simple yet essential in my kitchen: Simple Syrup.
I remember the first time I made this syrup—it was during a hot summer day when I wanted to jazz up my French 75. As I stirred the sugar into the hot water, the sweet aroma filled the air, instantly refreshing my senses. I got the idea of storing this sugar syrup in the refrigerator as I am quite fond of making dishes and there are recipes for which I need to make this syrup often.
Simple syrup is like a secret weapon in cooking and mixology as it really saves time and you are ready with your favorite breakfast or desserts in minutes. It’s not just for drinks; I use it to moisten cakes, sweeten fruit salads, and even create flavorful glazes for meats.
Join me in exploring the simplicity and versatility of homemade simple syrup. It’s a small yet impactful addition to your culinary repertoire, adding a touch of sweetness to your favorite recipes.
Overview: How To Make Simple Syrup?
Today, I’m sharing a quick and versatile recipe for homemade simple syrup. It’s a staple in my kitchen because it adds sweetness to drinks and desserts without any hassle.
To make this syrup, all you need is equal parts of white sugar and water. I combine them in a saucepan and bring them to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it’s cooled down, I pour it into a clean jar and seal it tightly. This simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month, ready to be used whenever I need a touch of sweetness.
I love how this homemade version elevates my cocktails, lemonades, and even desserts like fruit salads or drizzling over cakes. It’s a small effort with big flavor payoffs, making it a must-have in any kitchen.
Simple Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Stirring Spoon
- Clean jar with a tight-fitting lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Continue stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved in the water.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool down to room temperature.
- Once cooled, pour the syrup into a clean jar.
- Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Notes
Nutrition
These Variations Are Bliss!
- Rich Simple Syrup: For a sweeter and thicker syrup, use two parts sugar to one part water.
- Demerara Simple Syrup: Demerara sugar adds a light amber color and a nuanced flavor with hints of molasses. Use it instead of regular sugar for a richer syrup. Turbinado sugar works similarly but is lighter and less sticky.
- Steeping Dry Ingredients: Enhance your syrup with tea, spices, or other dry ingredients. Add loose-leaf tea, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, cloves, hibiscus, or lavender to the sugar-water mixture. Let them steep for 24 hours, then strain before using.
- Steeping Fresh Ingredients: Experiment with fresh flavors like torn basil, mint, jalapeño, citrus peels, or berries. Let them steep for 24 hours, then strain without pressing the solids. Use these syrups within a week.
- Incorporating Extracts: Add your favorite extract for quick flavoring. Start with a teaspoon for milder extracts like vanilla or orange or ¼ teaspoon for stronger ones like almond. Adjust to taste.
Where to Use Simple Syrup?
- Beverages: Add to cold or hot drinks like iced tea, lemonade, cocktails, and coffee to sweeten without graininess.
- Desserts: Drizzle over cakes, pancakes, waffles, or fruit salads for added sweetness and moisture.
- Cocktails: Use in cocktails like mojitos, margaritas, and daiquiris for balanced sweetness and flavor infusion.
- Baking: Brush onto cakes or cupcakes to keep them moist, or use in place of sugar syrup in cake recipes.
- Flavor Infusion: Use flavored syrups (like mint, vanilla, or fruit-infused) in various recipes for a hint of flavor and sweetness.
- Iced Treats: Pour over shaved ice, or snow cones, or use in homemade popsicles for a sweet, even flavor distribution.
- Salad Dressings: Mix with vinegar and oil for a sweet-savory salad dressing, especially with fruity or herbal flavors.
Simple syrup is a versatile sweetener that dissolves easily, making it ideal for many culinary applications.
Storing This Simple Syrup!
- Store: Allow the syrup to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month. Labeling with tape and a marker helps track the expiration date.
- Reheat: When reheating, gently warm the syrup in a saucepan over low heat or microwave in short intervals until just warmed through. Avoid boiling.
- Freeze: To freeze, pour the syrup into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag for longer storage, up to 3 months. Thaw the desired amount in the refrigerator before use.
How Do I Make the Consistency Thicker?
- For a thicker syrup: Double the amount of sugar in the recipe. The usual 1:1 ratio is thin and great for drinks. A 2:1 ratio (2 parts sugar to water) makes a thicker syrup perfect for glazing fruits and cakes.
- Adjusting sweetness: If using the thicker syrup in drinks, reduce the amount slightly (about 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz less than the recipe suggests) due to its concentrated sweetness.
Does Simple Syrup Need to Boil?
No, boiling the sugar-water mixture vigorously is not necessary. Simply heat it until the sugar dissolves completely. You can achieve this at a simmer or a gentle boil. The crucial part is ensuring the sugar fully dissolves without reducing the mixture too much, which can result in a thicker and sweeter syrup than desired.
