Simple syrup, often referred to as “sugar syrup”, is one of the most popular syrups in the culinary world, especially in baking and mixology. You’ll find it in many of my cocktail recipes because it blends effortlessly with other liquids, adding just the right amount of sweetness. I also love using it in iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade, and other cold drinks since it dissolves completely, leaving no undissolved sugar granules behind.
In baking, you can brush the simple syrup on cake layers to keep them moist and flavorful, which is particularly useful for cakes that need to stay fresh for several days. Or you can drizzle it over fruits, pancakes, and waffles, or use it as a base for sorbets and other sweet treats.
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The basic recipe for simple syrup involves combining equal parts sugar and water, typically in a 1:1 ratio. However, you can make rich simple syrup with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, resulting in a thicker, sweeter syrup. From this simple recipe, you can create flavored simple syrup. It is a fantastic way to add extra depth and complexity to your desserts, drinks, and other recipes.
Here’s how to make the simple syrup and flavored simple syrup:
Simple syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar (you can use brown sugar like demerara to have a richer, more complex flavor with caramel notes)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the syrup to a sterilized, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Flavor simple syrup
Ingredients
You can choose one of these ingredients or try to mix and match different flavoring agents to create unique combinations.:
- Herbs: 1-2 sprigs of fresh mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, peppermint, or basil, 2-3 stalks of lemongrass.
- Spices: 1-2 cinnamon sticks, 2-3 star anise, 5-6 whole cloves, 1-2 sliced jalapenos or habanero, a few slices of fresh ginger, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 5-6 crushed cardamom pods, 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice mix, 2 tablespoons ground coffee.
- Citrus: Peel of 1 lemon, lime, or orange (avoid the white pith, as it can be bitter).
- Fruits: 1/2 cup cherries, berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries), 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, dragon fruit, or mango, 1 cup sliced pear, peach, or apple, 1 cup of chopped rhubarb, or 1/2 cup mashed banana.
- Vanilla: 1 split vanilla bean or 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (add extract after removing from heat).
- Almond: 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Coconut: 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Instruction
1. Prepare the Basic Simple Syrup:
- Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Add Flavoring Agent: After the sugar is dissolved, add your chosen flavoring agent to the syrup while it’s still hot.
3. Simmer and Infuse:
- Let the mixture simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to help the flavors infuse into the syrup.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup steep with the flavoring agent for about 30 minutes, or until the desired intensity is reached.
4. Strain and Cool:
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flavoring agents.
- Allow the flavored syrup to cool to room temperature.
5. Store:
- Transfer the cooled syrup to a sterilized, airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Keto simple syrup
This is a low-carb and sugar-free alternative to traditional simple syrup, commonly used in cocktails and beverages. It is made with a combination of a sugar substitute and water, and can be used in various recipes to add sweetness without exceeding the daily net carb limit of a keto diet. Like the basic syrup, you can also infuse the keto simple syrup with flavors such as vanilla, mint, or citrus peels by adding these ingredients during the heating process and straining them out after cooling.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated erythritol (or another keto-friendly sweetener such as allulose or or monk fruit sweetener)
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, for a thicker consistency)
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated erythritol in a saucepan.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the erythritol is completely dissolved.
- If you prefer a thicker syrup, slowly sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum while whisking continuously to avoid clumps.
- Once the erythritol is dissolved and the mixture is smooth, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the syrup to a sterilized, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- To achieve a clear syrup, avoid boiling the mixture, as this can lead to crystallization.
- Shelf Life: Simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a month. Rich simple syrup tends to last a bit longer due to the higher sugar concentration. To make the syrup last for several months (up to a year), you can freeze it.
Simple syrup can expire. If it becomes cloudy, develops a sour or off smell, or any signs of mold growth, these are signs that it has gone bad.
- Preservation: Adding a small amount of vodka can help extend its shelf life, acting as a preservative.
- Sterilization: Ensure your storage container is sterilized to prevent any microbial growth, especially if you’re planning to store the syrup for an extended period.
DIY Simple syrup and flavored simple syrup
Ingredients
Simple syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Flavored simple syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- Flavoring agent see variations above
Instructions
Simple syrup
- Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the syrup to a sterilized, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Flavored Simple syrup
- Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- After the sugar is dissolved, add your chosen flavoring agent to the syrup while it’s still hot.
- Let the mixture simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to help the flavors infuse into the syrup.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup steep with the flavoring agent for about 30 minutes, or until the desired intensity is reached.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flavoring agents.
- Allow the flavored syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the cooled syrup to a sterilized, airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Notes
- Shelf Life: To store simple syrup, you can put it in an airtight container and put in the fridge. It can last for about a month. Rich simple syrup tends to last a bit longer due to the higher sugar concentration. You can freeze the syrup to make it last longer.
- Preservation: Adding a small amount of vodka can help extend its shelf life, acting as a preservative.
- To achieve a clear syrup, avoid boiling the mixture, as this can lead to crystallization.
- Sterilization: Ensure your storage container is sterilized to prevent any microbial growth, especially if you’re planning to store the syrup for an extended period.
