Name: Simple Syrup
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup sugar

Jump to Recipe

Homemade Simple Syrup is a culinary Secret Weapon that can elevate your drinks and desserts to a whole new level. With just sugar, water, and a dash of creativity, you can craft your own signature syrups to suit your preferences.

A glass with a handle filled with homemade simple syrup.

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Elevate Your Culinary Creations with Homemade Simple Syrup

Whether you're shaking up cocktails, quenching your thirst with a refreshing mocktail, or adding an extra layer of sweetness to your desserts, simple syrup is the key to achieving culinary perfection.

While this is a recipe for basic simple syrup don't hesitate to experiment with flavors and applications – the possibilities are endless.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a fundamental ingredient in the world of beverages and desserts. It's a basic mixture of sugar and water with a one to one ratio. Its applications are far from simple this versatile sweetener adds sweetness, moisture, and flavor to a wide range of culinary creations.

Importance of Simple Syrup

Simple syrup serves as the backbone of countless cocktails, mocktails, and desserts. Its liquid form allows it to mix seamlessly into cold and hot beverages, making it essential for sweetening everything from iced tea to coffee. In desserts, simple syrup can enhance the moistness and sweetness of cakes, fruit salads, and more.

All of the applications on my site will be in the form of adding sweetness to mocktails or cocktails. Simple syrup is generally used in drink making because it makes it possible for the sugar to easily be mixed into a drink. Ever tried adding sugar to a cold drink and it just never seems to mix properly? Simple sugar solves that.

Ingredients needed to make a simple syrup recipe laid out on a tabletop.

Equipment Needed

Medium saucepan
Whisk
Wooden or silicone spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Combine sugar and water in the saucepan.

A collage of steps for making simple syrup including adding sugar and water to a saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves.

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove it from heat.

A collage of steps showing making simple syrup the sugar and water being whisked together and coming to a simmer.

Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean glass container or bottle.

Store it in the refrigerator for up to one month.

A glass of simple syrup used for making cocktails and mocktails.

Tips, Tricks and Questions

Ratios of Sugar to Water

Standard 1:1 Ratio: This ratio (equal parts sugar and water) is versatile and works well for most applications.
Adjusting Ratios: You can customize the sweetness by altering the sugar-water ratio. For sweeter syrups, use more sugar; for lighter sweetness, use less.

Storing and Preserving the Syrup

Best Storage Containers: Opt for glass bottles or airtight containers to maintain freshness.
Shelf Life: Properly stored, simple syrup can last up to one month in the refrigerator. Signs of spoilage include cloudiness or an off smell.

How do I know when simple syrup is done?

When the sugar dissolves and the simple syrup becomes clear (sometimes with a yellow hue).

Creative Uses for Simple Syrup

Mixing Cocktails: Classic Margarita, Whiskey Sour, Gin Gimlet
Incorporating into Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Fresh Lemonade, Iced Tea, Iced Coffee
Enhancing Desserts: Drizzle over sponge cake, Soak fruit for fruit salad, Sweeten whipped cream

A glass with homemade simple sugar syrup surrounded by cocktail making ingredients.

If you like this simple syrup recipe you might also like:

Honey Simple Syrup
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Thyme Simple Syrup

Yield: 1 ½ cups

Simple Syrup

Classic Simple Syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar, used for cocktails, mocktails, and baking.

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Instructions

Add the sugar and water to a small pot. Heat the pot on the stovetop over medium-high heat. As the pot starts to heat whisk the sugar until it is fully disolved and the simple syrup is clear and the pot begins to simmer.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator.

Notes

Keeps for 3 to 4 weeks.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1 ounce
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 0g

Simple Syrup Recipe