Basic Simple Syrup Recipe
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Learn how to make simple syrup with this easy, two-ingredient recipe. Use this basic simple syrup for moistening cakes, making cocktails, or sweetening beverages like coffee, iced tea, and lemonade. This recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare and lasts for weeks. I pretty much always keep a jar in the fridge!
Why Make This Basic Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup (just sugar + water, in its, uh, simplest form…) is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to sweeten drinks and desserts. Beverage-wise, you can use it in everything from cocktails, to iced tea and coffee, to homemade lemonade. This basic sugar solution is equally great for brushing onto cupcakes and cakes to keep them ultra-moist (see my flourless orange almond cake for one example) or for tossing with cut fresh fruit and berries for a sweet fruit salad.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need just two ingredients: Water and granulated sugar.
I’ve kept this recipe very simple (just the aforementioned sugar and water) which yields a sweet-but-flavorless syrup. But once you’ve mastered the sugar and water solution, you can try your hand at creating flavored and infused syrups, like mint, blueberry, and rhubarb, or variations infused with rose petals or buds of culinary dried lavender.
How to Use Simple Syrup
This homemade sweetener can enhance a wide variety of recipes. It blends smoothly into alcoholic beverages (cocktails, mixed drinks) as well as hot non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, and chilled beverages (iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade). Unlike granulated sugar, this sweetener is already in liquid form, so it won’t turn grainy or settle at the bottom of the glass when you stir it into cold liquid. You can also use a pastry brush to apply it to cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and cupcakes, to keep baked goods extra-moist.
Print
Basic Simple Syrup
- Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
- YieldAbout 500 milliliters (1 3/4 cups) 1x
A basic simple syrup for moistening cakes, making cocktails, or sweetening beverages like coffee, iced tea, and lemonade.
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, stir together granulated sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring gently until sugar dissolves.
Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Do not boil.
Remove from heat. Set aside and allow syrup to cool completely, about 1 hour.
Use as desired.
Store simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Category: and Chutneys, Jams, Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Orange Syrup Recipe
Ginger Syrup Recipe
Rhubarb Syrup Recipe
Lavender Syrup Recipe
Blueberry Syrup Recipe
Mint Syrup Recipe
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
Very clear and accurate.