Homemade Simple Syrup For Drinks (& Everything Else, Too)
I remember the fist time I saw “make a simple syrup” in a recipe. No instructions followed, no “make a simple syrup by doing X,” it just said: “Make a simple syrup.” So instead of figuring out how to make homemade simple syrup I ran to the store and spent $6 on a small bottle of the stuff.
That was 100% unnecessary, and I wish I had that $6 back.
Simple syrup gets its name from the fact that it is really simple. I mean, SIM-PLE. Put some sugar in pan, add some water, turn on the heat. Done.
What’s even better? If you want to make a high-octane simple syrup (like I use in my homemade tonic water recipe) just double the sugar. Or how about spicing up your Old-Fashioned with some cinnamon? Throw a cinnamon stick into the hot syrup and let it steep for a half an hour. Once made, your homemade simple syrup will keep for about a month in the fridge — if it lasts that long.
So stop paying other people to mix together sugar and water on your behalf. If you can turn on a burner, you can make homemade simple syrup.
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Simple Syrup for Drinks (& Everything Else, Too)
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 oz 1x
- Category: Drinks
Description
Stop paying companies to mix together sugar and water on your behalf. If you can turn on a burner, you can make simple syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar (200g)
- 1 cup water (250ml)
Instructions
- Method Combine the sugar and water in a small pan. Turn the heat on and let the mixture come to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for one minute, until all the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat and let cool.
- Store in a jar in the fridge for up to one month.
Notes
Store-bought simple syrup contains preservatives which makes it last virtually forever out of the fridge. Our home version jettisons those, so be sure to keep your homemade simple syrup in the fridge where it will be happy for about a month.
Keywords: simple syrup, sugar, drinks
5 Comments
Jill Gold
Hi Matt!!! I have some fresh mint about to go bad and I am going to make your simple syrup and infuse it with the mint for some mint juleps during this hot week! Hope you’re well, love the new website!
Matthew
Thanks, Jill!! And oh yes, please… mint in the simple syrup. That’s going to be great!!
Maureen Osborne
Funny, I just made a simple syrup the day before. I wanted it for adding to iced tea because adding sugar directly always leaves a bunch at the bottom.
Matthew
Undissolved sugar drives me crazy, Maureen! Ice tea, lemonade, cocktails… everything is better when the sugar is liquified! 😀
Anna Stadlman
I like making a jalapeño infused simple syrup for my margarita mix! I usually cut a few in half lengthwise and let them steep (like with the cinnamon idea). Then fresh lime juice – there ya go!