Simple Syrup is an ingredient you see a lot in co*cktail recipes. There are many brands you can buy in the store, but you’re going to be paying a lot of money for what is basically sugar water. So I say buy a bag of sugar and make it yourself at home. When you make it yourself you not only insure that you’re using quality ingredients, but you can also get creative and create different flavors. Infused simple syrups are a fun ingredient for creating co*cktails with a flavor twist. As inspiration, below I’ve created six infused flavor ideas to get you started. Once you make even one of these flavors you’ll see how simple it is and you’ll be off creating your own flavors in no time.
In addition to having the recipes, I also created a free print-it-yourself label file. I created the labels in case you were using the simple syrup(s) at a party. Just label your bottle(s) or jar(s) and your guests will know what they are using to make their drinks.
Classic Simple Syrup
Let’s start with the basics of how to make a Classic Simple Syrup. First combine equal parts water and sugar in a sauce pan ( 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar will yield about 1 1/2 cups simple syrup). Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and liquid is translucent (usually you can bring to a boil and then let it simmer for 1 minute). Note: I used organic cane sugar, so my liquid still had a slight color. Let your liquid cool completely and then transfer to an air tight container.
Infused Simple Syrups
You’ll do the same process as the Classic Simple Syrup, but you’ll add your flavor element. For each of the below Infused Simple Syrups, you’ll combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Then over medium heat, bring ingredients to a boil and let simmer for 1 minute. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove your mixture from the heat and cover with a lid. Let steep for 30 minutes or until cool. Once cool, strain mixture into an airtight container. (You’ll reduce the shelf life if you keep the herbs, citrus rinds or other flavor agents in your simple syrup. Instead, strain your mixture.) Once ready to serve, you can garnish with fresh herbs, rinds, etc.
(Note: the measurements below create enough mixture to fill the Glass Oil Bottles with Weighted Gold Stoppers from World Market.)
Rosemary Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Rosemary and Ginger Simple Syrup Ingredients
(Rosemary is the primary flavor but the ginger adds a bit of heat that makes this one a little spicer than just having rosemary.)
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2″ ginger (peeled and sliced into small pieces)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Mint Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup mint leaves
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Mint Orange Simple Syrup Ingredients
(The addition of the orange juice, makes this the sweetest of the infused syrups. It would be lovely in tea or as a way to infuse flavor into a plain vanilla cake.)
- 1 cup mint leaves
- Rind pieces from one orange
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (juice from about 1 orange)
Jalapeño Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced into pieces
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Jalapeño Lime Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced into pieces
- Rind of 1 lime
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Be sure to strain your mixture into an airtight container and store in the fridge for longer shelf life (about 1-2 weeks). Then if you are using at a party, once you are ready to serve you can add your herb garnish.
These Glass Oil Bottles from World Market aren’t just adorable, they also made for easy pouring. They are only $5.99, making them affordable to buy a few. These bottles are perfect to have on hand for parties.
co*cktails aren’t the only use for simple syrup. You can sweeten your tea, coffee and sparkling water with just a tablespoon of syrup. Simple syrups are also used to moisten layered cakes before frosting. Wouldn’t the Orange Mint make a lovely infused cake?
The Jalapeño Simple Syrup is perfect for spicing up a classic Salty Dog. I’ll follow up with a recipe in my next post.
For the labels, download the free print-it-yourself label file. Print on full-sheet sticker paper. Cut out each label and then adhere to your jar or bottle. Creating your own flavor? There is even a blank label for you to write in the name of your own creation.
