Welcome to our comprehensive guide to creating the perfect simple syrup. Whether you’re a home bartender looking to elevate your cocktail or mocktail game or a home barista creating delicious coffee syrups, mastering the art of simple syrup is essential.
In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about simple syrup, from its basic definition to the easy to follow recipe, various flavor variations, and tips for incorporating it into your favorite beverages.
Learning to make your own sugar syrup is probably the easiest recipe ever. You will laugh when you see simple syrup for sale at the store because it’s so easy to make.
I make a batch of simple syrup every few months so I always have it in my fridge. Simple syrup is useful for mixing cocktails, drinks like lemonade, sweetened coffee, and tea drinks. Sometimes it is used in baking recipes but I mostly use it in beverages.
Recipes That Use Simple Syrup: Mojito Recipe, Tom Collins, Gimlet Cocktail, Lemon Drop Martini, Lemonade, and Iced Coffee.
Table of Contents
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is sugar syrup. It’s made with one part water and one part sugar, simmered together until it becomes a clear syrup. Simple syrup is one of the most common ingredients in sweetened beverages. While you could stir granulated white sugar into any drink it may not fully dissolve, especially in cold drinks, leaving a grainy texture to your beverage. Simple syrup has a smooth texture and will disperse in a drink more evenly, rather than setting in the bottom of a glass.
Simple Syrup Ingredients
- Sugar – most often granulated white sugar is used
- Water – clean, filtered water is best
The correct sugar and water ratio is 1:1. This will create the perfect consistency for adding to drinks.
How to Make Simple Syrup
In a small pan, combine one part sugar and one part water. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains.
Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel.
Let cool and pour into a bottle in the fridge.
How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?
Simple syrup should be kept in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last for a minimum of one month. I often keep mine for a few months before making a new batch.
Tips for Making Simple Syrup
- Collect reusable bottles for your homemade simple syrups. These are the bottles I used in these photos. I also like these bottles.
- If you make multiple flavors of syrup, adding labels is a good idea.
- While granulated white sugar is the classic another fun option is Demerara. It adds a thicker texture for an interesting ‘mouth feel’ to any drink.
- You can infuse many fresh and dried herbs, fruits and flavors into your syrup. Have fun experimenting with different flavors.
Flavor Variations for Simple Syrup
Once you master the basic recipe for simple syrup you can experiment with flavor variations. Try replacing sugar with brown sugar or honey. Try adding herbs or spices as the syrup cooks (you will strain them out once the syrup has cooled).
You can also make syrups using fresh fruits to add flavor and color. The possibilities are endless!
More Homemade Syrup Recipes
- Mint Simple Syrup
- Honey Simple Syrup
- Peppermint Syrup
- Strawberry Syrup
- Cherry Syrup
- Raspberry Syrup
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Salted Caramel Syrup
- Toffee Nut Syrup
- Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- Gingerbread Syrup
- Homemade Margarita Mix
- Homemade Sour Mix
- Homemade Old Fashioned Mix
- Pina Colada Mix
- Homemade Grenadine
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for simple syrup?
The recipe for simple syrup is one part water, one part sugar (1:1).
What is simple syrup made of?
Simple syrup is a syrup made of sugar and water. By dissolving the sugar into a syrup consistency, it is useful for many drink recipes.
Can you overcook simple syrup?
Yes. Simple syrup should be made at low to medium heat. If you boil sugar and water for too long it will become caramel instead of simple syrup.
Cheers to your newfound mixology skills and the endless possibilities of simple syrup!
Simple Syrup Recipe
Instructions
- In a small pan, combine one part sugar and one part water.
- On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains visible.
- Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel.
- Let cool and pour into a bottle in the fridge.
Notes
- Collect reusable bottles for your homemade simple syrups. These are the bottles I used in these photos. I also like these bottles.
- If you make multiple flavors of syrup, adding labels is a good idea.
- You can infuse many fresh and dried herbs, fruits and flavors into your syrup. Have fun experimenting with different flavors.
- Simple syrup should be kept in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last for a minimum of one month. I often keep mine for a few months before making a new batch.