Sumac Syrup

Sumac Simple Syrup is a tangy, citrus-flavored syrup made from water, sugar, and ground sumac, perfect for adding a zesty twist to cocktails, mocktails, and desserts.

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Sumac Simple Syrup Recipe

I always love late summer when it is staghorn sumac season, I always forage the berries to make my Sumac Tea that is refreshing and high in vitamin C. But when it isn't that time of year I love using dried sumac in it's ground form to give me the delicious flavor, which includes this sumac syrup recipe. 

Using the ground sumac is such an advantage in this recipe because the flavors are much more intensified and give the syrup and better flavor which works so well in drinks (or desserts). 

If you’re unfamiliar with it, sumac is a spice derived from the dried berries of the sumac shrub. The usage of Ground Sumac as a spice is primarily found in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, although different varieties of sumac are found all over the world. It’s known for its vibrant red hue and tart, lemony flavor. Unlike lemon, sumac offers this tangy bite without the acidity, making it an incredible addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

Sumac is traditionally sprinkled over dishes like hummus, salads, grilled meats, or mixed into spice blends like za'atar. Its earthy citrus flavor makes it a wonderful partner to ingredients that need a bit of brightening, and when transformed into a simple syrup, it opens up a whole new range of possibilities.

Ingredients:

• Ground Sumac -  Finding a good ground sumac is key to this recipe. Depending on the type and size of your grocery store it may or may not have ground sumac available. Luckily there are plenty of online sources where you can buy it.  I get mine from Here's The Deal Spice Co, you can get their Ground Sumac Here.
• Water
• Sugar - Granulated sugar works best for this recipe because of its neutral sweetness, but you can use other kinds of sweetener like local honey or maple syrup if you wish just note that it might change the flavor of the overall syrup.

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir continuously to ensure that all the sugar is completely dissolved into the water.

Once the sugar is dissolved, reduce the heat slightly and add 1 tablespoon of ground sumac to the mixture. Whisk it in thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for about 1 minute. This step allows the sumac flavor to meld into the syrup without overcooking.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. As it cools, the flavors will continue to develop.

Once cooled, you can choose to strain the syrup immediately or allow it to rest overnight in the refrigerator for a stronger flavor. If you choose to let it rest, transfer the mixture to a glass jar and refrigerate. When you’re ready to strain, use a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth Affiliate Link to remove any sumac particles, leaving behind a smooth, tangy syrup.

Pour the strained syrup into a clean glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. This sumac simple syrup will last for up to two weeks, though I doubt it’ll stick around that long once you start experimenting with it!