Simple Syrup is an ingredient you see a lot in co*cktail recipes. There are many brands you can buy in the store, but you’re going to be paying a lot of money for what is basically sugar water. So I say buy a bag of sugar and make it yourself at home. When you make it yourself you not only insure that you’re using quality ingredients, but you can also get creative and create different flavors. Infused simple syrups are a fun ingredient for creating co*cktails with a flavor twist. As inspiration, below I’ve created six infused flavor ideas to get you started. Once you make even one of these flavors you’ll see how simple it is and you’ll be off creating your own flavors in no time.
In addition to having the recipes, I also created a free print-it-yourself label file. I created the labels in case you were using the simple syrup(s) at a party. Just label your bottle(s) or jar(s) and your guests will know what they are using to make their drinks.
Classic Simple Syrup
Let’s start with the basics of how to make a Classic Simple Syrup. First combine equal parts water and sugar in a sauce pan ( 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar will yield about 1 1/2 cups simple syrup). Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and liquid is translucent (usually you can bring to a boil and then let it simmer for 1 minute). Note: I used organic cane sugar, so my liquid still had a slight color. Let your liquid cool completely and then transfer to an air tight container.
Infused Simple Syrups
You’ll do the same process as the Classic Simple Syrup, but you’ll add your flavor element. For each of the below Infused Simple Syrups, you’ll combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Then over medium heat, bring ingredients to a boil and let simmer for 1 minute. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove your mixture from the heat and cover with a lid. Let steep for 30 minutes or until cool. Once cool, strain mixture into an airtight container. (You’ll reduce the shelf life if you keep the herbs, citrus rinds or other flavor agents in your simple syrup. Instead, strain your mixture.) Once ready to serve, you can garnish with fresh herbs, rinds, etc.
(Note: the measurements below create enough mixture to fill the Glass Oil Bottles with Weighted Gold Stoppers from World Market.)
Rosemary Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Rosemary and Ginger Simple Syrup Ingredients
(Rosemary is the primary flavor but the ginger adds a bit of heat that makes this one a little spicer than just having rosemary.)
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2″ ginger (peeled and sliced into small pieces)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Mint Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup mint leaves
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Mint Orange Simple Syrup Ingredients
(The addition of the orange juice, makes this the sweetest of the infused syrups. It would be lovely in tea or as a way to infuse flavor into a plain vanilla cake.)
- 1 cup mint leaves
- Rind pieces from one orange
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (juice from about 1 orange)
Jalapeño Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced into pieces
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Jalapeño Lime Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced into pieces
- Rind of 1 lime
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Be sure to strain your mixture into an airtight container and store in the fridge for longer shelf life (about 1-2 weeks). Then if you are using at a party, once you are ready to serve you can add your herb garnish.
These Glass Oil Bottles from World Market aren’t just adorable, they also made for easy pouring. They are only $5.99, making them affordable to buy a few. These bottles are perfect to have on hand for parties.
co*cktails aren’t the only use for simple syrup. You can sweeten your tea, coffee and sparkling water with just a tablespoon of syrup. Simple syrups are also used to moisten layered cakes before frosting. Wouldn’t the Orange Mint make a lovely infused cake?
The Jalapeño Simple Syrup is perfect for spicing up a classic Salty Dog. I’ll follow up with a recipe in my next post.
For the labels, download the free print-it-yourself label file. Print on full-sheet sticker paper. Cut out each label and then adhere to your jar or bottle. Creating your own flavor? There is even a blank label for you to write in the name of your own creation.
Download Free Print-It-Yourself Files Used In this Post
Simple Syrup Labels
FAQs
Unflavored syrup can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. However, flavored syrups (especially fruit-flavored) should be used within 2 weeks of when they're made. I usually keep mine in a mason jar but any airtight container with a good lid will work great.
What is the best preservative for simple syrup? ›
Citric Acid is the recommended acid for use with the Sodium Benzoate. However, most other approved food acids such as phosphoric, tartaric and Malic acids will suffice. Simple syrup can be preserved for months by adding 1 ounce of sodium benzoate with ¼ ounce of citric acid, per gallon of simple syrup.
What is the difference between simple syrup and rich simple syrup? ›
A traditional simple syrup would consist of one part sugar and one part water (i.e. 1 cup of each). A rich simple syrup has double the amount of sugar, meaning 2 parts sugar and 1 part water (i.e. 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water).
How much citric acid to use in simple syrup? ›
The conversion number that I settled on was 1/4 tsp of Citric acid powder for 1 1/2 oz of simple syrup. I then dissolved 1/4 tsp of citric acid powder in 1 1/2 oz of water to replace the lemon juice in our lemon drop.
Why does my simple syrup mold? ›
One final tip, don't store simple syrup with a speed pour in the bottle. Even that small access to air will expedite the growth of mold. Always cover it when not using.
How do you know if homemade syrup is bad? ›
The best way to check on your maple syrup is to smell it or take a small taste. If it smells good and tastes good, it is good! If there is mold on the surface or in the container, you can scrape it off or strain the syrup through a cheese cloth to remove all of the mold pieces.
Why 85% simple syrup acts as self preserving? ›
The self-preservative activity of syrup is attributed to the high osmotic pressure. Syrups should be stored at a constant temperature to prevent crystallization and in well-closed containers to prevent entry of moisture.
How to prevent mold in simple syrup? ›
Rich simple syrup can also be stored in the freezer. Because of the high sugar content it won't freeze completely, but the cold will keep mold and bacteria from growing in the syrup. Make sure to use a container with a top that seals well, so you don't get off odors from other freezer foods in your syrups.
How to make simple syrups shelf stable? ›
Increase the sugar level - Higher sugar levels reduce water availability to microorganisms. Bring your sugar level (brix) up to at least 50. That means equal parts sugar and water by weight (not by volume). Add alcohol – 15% or so of alcohol helps work as a preservative environment; the higher the better.
What are the disadvantages of simple syrup? ›
Syrup should only be used in moderation as part of a healthy diet because it is heavy in calories and sugar. The reason for this is that syrup is a concentrated source of sugar, and consuming a lot of sugar can lead to weight gain, cavities in the teeth, and other health problems.
Simple Syrup, also known as “sugar syrup” (and sometimes “sugary syrup”) is a syrup made from dissolving white granulated sugar into an equal amount of water.
Is maple syrup better than simple syrup? ›
Unlike flavor-neutral simple syrup, maple syrup's contribution to co*cktails isn't just sweetness, but also buttery, nutty, and vanilla flavors. Its flavor prevents maple syrup from being the Swiss Army knife of sweeteners that simple syrup is, restricting its use to certain spirits.
What happens if you use too much citric acid? ›
The FDA has ruled that citric acid is generally safe to use in food and skin products, but some experts believe that more research is needed to be certain in this regard. That said, the overuse of citric acid may cause: Skin irritation. Upset stomach.
How much vodka to preserve simple syrup? ›
To prolong the shelf life, add a little vodka. Usually between a tablespoon and an ounce is enough, depending on how large the batch of syrup is.
Can you use too much citric acid? ›
Citric acid may be good for you, but in higher amounts may cause damage to your tooth enamel, digestive issues, allergic reactions, and interactions with medications. Most people do not need to supplement citric acid, though.
How long does infused simple syrup last? ›
Infused simple syrups are good for around three months, according to Saveur, although they also suggest giving the syrup a sniff test to make sure it still smells good. Syrups that incorporate juices or purees, however, will only last around two or three weeks.
How do you store infused simple syrup? ›
If stored incorrectly or for too long it's easy for the sugar and water mixture to grow mold. Store simple syrup in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. In a glass jar, the mixture can stay in the fridge for about a month, or it can also be frozen.
How long does herb simple syrup last? ›
Herb simple syrup may be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
How long does simple syrup last after making it? ›
The shelf life of your simple syrup will depend upon the cleanliness of the airtight container and the amount of sugar in your mixture. The standard one-to-one sugar-to-water ratio will produce a simple syrup that lasts about one month in the fridge.
