Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Optional Add-Ins (for flavored syrups):
1 tsp vanilla extract
Citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime)
Fresh herbs (mint, rosemary, basil)
Whole spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger slices)
Berries or fruit slices
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
Heat Gently:
Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves.
Do Not Boil (Optional):
Once dissolved, remove from heat. (A gentle simmer is fine, but boiling isn’t necessary.)
Add Flavor (Optional):
Stir in herbs, spices, or fruit and let steep for 10–20 minutes.
Cool & Strain:
Let syrup cool completely, then strain out solids if using flavorings.
Store:
Transfer to a clean glass jar or bottle and refrigerate.
Notes
Cooking Tips
- Use equal parts sugar and water for classic syrup; use 2:1 sugar to water for a thicker “rich syrup.”
- Stir just until dissolved—overheating can cause crystallization later.
- For crystal-clear syrup, avoid stirring once it starts simmering.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks.
- Add a splash of vodka (optional) to extend shelf life slightly.
Variations
- Vanilla Simple Syrup: Add 1 tsp vanilla after cooling.
- Mint Syrup: Steep fresh mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
- Cinnamon Syrup: Add a cinnamon stick while heating.
- Honey Syrup: Replace sugar with honey (1:1 ratio with water).
- Brown Sugar Syrup: Swap white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Citrus Syrup: Add lemon, lime, or orange peel while simmering.
- Berry Syrup: Simmer with fresh or frozen berries, then strain.
- Spiced Syrup: Add cloves, star anise, or cardamom pods.
Storage & Uses
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Use in coffee, iced tea, cocktails, lemonades, desserts, or to brush over cakes for moisture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 0g