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Elliott Clark
Elliott Clark
Elliott Clark is the founder and Chief Home Bartending Officer of Apartment Bartender. A lifestyle and co*cktail blog focused on creative drink recipes, home bartending how to’s and other random shenanigans.
Jan Valdez
Jan ValdezAssistant Recipe Producer at The Kitchn
I got into this field by spending 10 years working in Research & Development and Product Development test kitchens, testing new products and recipes. For nearly eight years, I was the Senior Culinary R&D Specialist at Weber headquarters, where all the grills are designed, engineered, and tested. I've helped launch numerous best-selling, top-rated grills across the globe (you should see my grill collection at home!).One of my proudest accomplishments happened years earlier, when I had the opportunity to visit the Good Housekeeping Institue in NYC after developing an award-winning Tropical Citrus Shrimp recipe that jumpstarted my career in test kitchens and food editing. Since then, I've worked at Serious Eats (one of my favorite food sites) and EatingWell as an updates editor.I'm passionate about both classic recipes and new, unique twists. I'm constantly learning and that's what makes food and cooking so fun (just ask me how to bake light and airy pavlovas on the grill – I've tested them countless times!).
updated Apr 10, 2024
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This essential co*cktail ingredient comes together quickly with just sugar and water.
Makes1 1/2 cupsJump to Recipe
Jump to Recipe
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When I first started learning how to make co*cktails at home, I had no idea people made their own simple syrup. I was the person who went to the store to buy a bottle of what I later learned to be sugar water. That’s right — sugar dissolved in water.
Simple syrup is an essential ingredient in co*cktails and other beverages like iced coffee because it blends so well with other liquids, and it’s super easy to make yourself — we promise.
Making your own syrups at home is a great way to take your home creations to a new level by introducing different flavor profiles into your co*cktails and other beverages. When you learn how easy it is, you’ll end up creating all different types of amazing herb syrups and fruit syrups for your co*cktails at home.
Quick Overview
Tips for Making Simple Syrup
- Heat the water first. Heating the sugar and water together won’t ruin the syrup — it just takes longer to heat. To save time, heat the water first before adding the sugar.
- Don’t bring the water to a boil. The water should be hot enough to dissolve the sugar completely, but you don’t want to boil simple syrup for too long (or you’ll end up with caramel).
- Cool the simple syrup completely. Once the sugar is dissolved, let the syrup cool completely before storing. Use a kitchen funnel to transfer the syrup to a glass container.
- Store in the refrigerator. Store the simple syrup in a glass container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
What Is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is liquified sugar made with equal parts water and sugar. It’s primarily used as a key ingredient in co*cktails, but can also be used as a sweetener for teas, coffees, and even baked goods.
Simple Syrup Ingredients and Ratio
Traditional simple syrup is made from one part water to one part sugar (1:1). White granulated sugar is the standard sweetener, but once you’ve mastered that basic base, feel free to experiment with different sugars, while being sure to keep the ratio the same.
How to Measure Ingredients for Simple Syrup
Measuring might be the most complicated part of making simple syrup. Measuring by volume is most common. The second way to measure your ingredients is by weight, which is more precise (if only by a fraction).
- To measure by volume: Measure one cup of water with a liquid measuring cup, then combine with one cup of sugar with a dry measuring cup.
- To measure by weight: Weigh eight ounces of water, then combine with eight ounces of granulated sugar using a digital scale.
co*cktails with Simple Syrup
- French 75
- Classic Mojito
- Tom Collins
- Classic Whiskey Sour
- Espresso Martini
- Classic Daiquiri
- Pisco Sour
- Classic Old Fashioned co*cktail
- Bluebird co*cktail
- Classic Mint Julep
- Whiskey Smash
- Classic Margarita
- Lemon Drop Martini
- Blood Orange French 75
- Amaretto Sour
More Ways to Use Simple Syrup
- Sweetening coffees or teas
- Stirring into refreshing fruit beverages like limeade or aguas frescas
- Drizzling over cakes or pastries
- As a base for fruit sorbets or granitas
- Tossing into fresh fruit salads made with seasonal fruit
Simple Syrup Variations
- Rich simple syrup: One common simple syrup variation is rich simple syrup. Instead of the traditional one part sugar to one part water, it calls for two parts sugar to one part water (2:1). The process of making it is exactly the same. Many bartenders and home co*cktail enthusiasts prefer to use rich simple syrup because of the rich syrup’s thicker texture. It can add a little more body to your co*cktails.
- Brown sugar syrup: This variation uses the same 1:1 ratio as regular simple syrup, but with light or dark brown sugar. Brown sugar syrup has a deep, caramel-like flavor that pairs well with espresso co*cktails.
- Vanilla syrup: For the best and most luxurious flavor, spring for a realvanilla bean.
- Caramel syrup: This simple caramel syrup will give your coffee a beautiful rich flavor.
- Flavored simple syrup: The world of flavored simple syrup is endless. You can get pretty creative with fruit syrups, herb syrups, ginger syrup, spiced syrups, and more.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate in an airtight glass container for 2 to 3 weeks.
Simple Syrup Recipe
This essential co*cktail ingredient comes together quickly with just sugar and water.
Makes 1 1/2 cups
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 cup
water, preferably filtered
- 1 cup
granulated sugar
Instructions
Show Images
Heat 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot, but do not bring to a boil.
Add 1 cup granulated sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using or storing. Using a funnel if needed, transfer the simple syrup into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store it in a glass container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
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Beverages
easy
Gluten-Free
How To
Keeps Well
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