How to Make Simple Syrup

When you read any of the drink recipes on my blog, the one thing I always make is Simple Syrup.

What is Simple Syrup Anyway?

Simple Syrup is a sweetener used to sweeten almost any drink. It is often used to sweeten cocktails, but it can definitely be used to sweeten nonalcoholic beverages as well.

Can I Buy Simple Syrup?

Simple Syrup can be purchased. I’ve seen it in liquor stores by the Mixers. There are often many different flavor-infused simple syrups available for purchase. However, Simple Syrup is such a simple recipe, lol. Hence the name. Why would you buy it?

How is Simple Syrup Made?

When making Simple Syrup the ratio of sugar to water is 1:1, meaning equal parts of sugar and water. You simply simmer the sugar and water, until the sugar has dissolved. Simple Syrup is used best to sweeten cold drinks. If you simply add granulated sugar to iced coffee or iced tea, the sugar won’t dissolve. However, if you make a simple syrup (or liquid sugar as some may call it) to add to these beverages, it will mix in perfectly. Therefore you will not have sugar at the bottom of your glass.

Simple Syrup is super versatile. You can infuse it with any flavor to enhance any drink you’ll be making. In many of my recipes, I make all different types of Simple Syrup’s; vanilla, ginger, spiced, mint, or even basil.

I like to use dried spices or fresh herbs to my simple syrups. When infusing, I simmer the simple Syrup as normal and add my spices or herbs. Next, I remove it from the heat and let the simple Syrup sit for about an hour. Often times I’ll let the simple Syrup sit in the refrigerator overnight with the spices in them. The longer the spices stay in the Simple Syrup, the stronger the flavor you’ll get.

There are many spices or herbs you can add to simple Syrup; ginger, lemon zest, lime zest, vanilla bean, mint, basil, rosemary, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and many more.

Here are some of my favorite simple syrup recipes

Vanilla Simple Syrup – Vanilla Pear Apple Sangria

Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean    
1 cinnamon sticks

Directions
Mix sugar and water.
Split the vanilla bean down the middle, and scrape the seeds. Add the vanilla bean and the seeds, along with 1 cinnamon stick to the pot.  Bring pot to a simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved.   Remove from heat, and leave the vanilla and the cinnamon in the pot. Infuse the vanilla and cinnamon in the simple syrup for an hour. 
** If the simple syrup is made the day before the flavors blend together and has a more powerful taste.  

Spiced Coconut Water Simple Syrup – Spiced Pineapple Coconut Mai Tai

Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut water
1/2 cup sugar
1 whole nutmeg  
1 cinnamon sticks 

Directions
Bring sugar and coconut water to a boil.Crack the nutmeg and it to the pot along with 1 cinnamon stick.Bring pot to a simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved.   Remove from heat, and leave the nutmeg and cinnamon in the pot.Infuse the nutmeg and cinnamon in the simple syrup for an hour. 
** If the simple syrup is made the day before the flavors blend together and has a more powerful taste.  

Spiced Simple Syrup  – Pumpkin Spice Sangria 

Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 cinnamon stick
2 inch ginger, peeled and sliced
10 cloves
2 nutmeg smashed  

Directions
Mix sugar and water in a sauce pan, and bring to a simmer until sugar has dissolved completely.  Smash nutmeg, add cloves, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger. Remove from heat, infused simple syrup with the spices for about 2 hours.  
** If the simple syrup is made the day before the flavors blend together and has a more powerful taste.  

Basil Simple Syrup – Mixed Berry Basil Limeade

Ingredients
3 cups water
3 cups sugar
8 oz chopped basil

Directions
Bring water and sugar to a simmer in a sauce pan. Remove from heat, and add the chopped basil.  Let the basil steep in the simple syrup for about an hour or two. 
** If the simple syrup is made the day before the basil would have a stronger tasted in the drink.