Made This?
Let us know how it went in the comments below!
If you've ever tried to stir granulated sugar into your iced bev for a touch of sweetness, you know that it often results in mild aggravation and undesirably gritty drinks. Enter: simple syrup. With just 10 minutes and 2 ingredients, you’ll be ready to add a sweet touch to countless non-alcoholic drinks, cocktails, and even desserts. Make a batch, then store it to use for weeks to come whenever you need a boost of sweetness. It couldn’t be easier to make (and flavor!), but keep reading for all of my top tips on how to make it perfectly:
To a small saucepan over medium heat, add equal parts granulated sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. If you’re making basic simple syrup, then you can move on. But, if you’re adding a flavoring, now is my favorite time to do that. Add in your desired mix-in, then continue to simmer, while stirring, until fragrant. After 2-4 minutes more, remove from the heat and let it steep until the syrup is completely cool—don’t rush this.
Alternatively, you can add your mix-ins to your individual jars, then add in your simple syrup on top once it has cooled. This won’t give you as potent a flavored syrup than simmering your flavoring, but it sure looks pretty, and will still impart flavor. Regardless, once cooled, add to your favorite sealable jar. If you simmered flavorings, strain the simple syrup into the jar. Add the lid, store, and use as you please!
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
Once made, the options are endless when it comes to using your simple syrup. Stir it into your cold brew or favorite coffee recipe, your iced tea, or any of your favorite cocktail recipes (our Key lime mojitos, cranberry orange whiskey sours, or French 75 are all great choices). You can also use it to make candied fruit, like the candied lemon peel in our lemon icebox cake recipe.
Store your syrup in a super-clean and sterilized jar or bottle in the fridge, and because sugar is a natural preservative, it will keep for months. Whenever you want a spike of sugar, just drizzle some into your glass or mug and stir, no vigorous shaking or exasperation needed.
granulated sugar
vanilla bean, split (optional)
Peel of 2 lemons or limes (optional)
thinly sliced peeled ginger (optional)
packed fresh mint leaves (optional)
dried lavender flowers (optional)
rosewater (optional)
Let us know how it went in the comments below!