Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a key ingredient in so many great cocktails and recipes. The combination of water and granulated sugar over heat makes the perfect sweetener for cocktails.

Make a big homemade batch and store it in your refrigerator so you always have some on hand. It’s easy to make and much cheaper than store bought syrup. Plus you can flavor it in so many different ways.

How to Flavor Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a terrific place to add extra flavor to your cocktails. By adding ingredients to the simple syrup after it has finished combining, you can easily make fun twists on your cocktails.

1. Follow the recipe as written.
2. At the end of step 2 (in the recipe card below), add whatever you would like to make it flavored (see examples below).
3. Let the added ingredient steep for at least 30 minutes. Then remove it before storing it (optional).

Flavored Simple Syrup

Here are some of my favorite flavors of simple syrup and some great ideas on how to use it.

• Honey Simple Syrup: Replace the sugar with honey to make this great syrup. It adds a great honey flavor to your cocktails and is perfect in the Bee’s Knees.
• Mint Simple Syrup: Add some fresh mint at the end of step 2. Give your Mojito an extra minty boost!
• Rosemary Simple Syrup: Add some fresh rosemary at the end of step 2. I love adding some of this to my Gin and Tonic.
• Brown Sugar Simple Syrup: Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar. This would be amazing in a fall themed sangria like my Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria.
• Ginger Simple Syrup: At the end of step 2, grate some fresh ginger into the simple syrup. After steeping, strain the syrup through a mesh strainer and add it to my Moscow Mule.
• Cinnamon Simple Syrup: Toss in a few cinnamon sticks at the end of step 2. Use it in my Old Fashioned instead of a sugar cube.
• Lemon Simple Syrup: Add in some lemon peels at the end of step 2. Use it in my French 75 for an extra lemon boost.
• Basil Simple Syrup: Add some fresh basil at the end of step 2. Use it in my Vodka Lemonade – a favorite of mine!
• Chai Simple Syrup: Add some chai tea bags at the end of step 2. Use it to make this amazing Chai Old Fashioned.

Non Alcoholic Uses

Though we use this recipe all the time in our cocktails, this is also the start of so many great non-alcoholic recipes.

• It is the beginning of Strawberry Milk, as you combine it with strawberries to make Strawberry Syrup.
• We use this to begin our Lemonade. It is perfection every time.
• It is also what gives our Cherry Limeade it’s sweetness.

Sugar Free Simple Syrup

You can use sugar substitutes to make simple syrup easily. The main thing to keep in mind is what the brand recommends as the replacement ratio. Usually on the bag it will tell you how much of the substitute you need to replace 1 cup of sugar. Use that amount.

I have found that Stevia works better as a substitute than Monk Fruit. The Monk Fruit, while totally delicious, starts to crystalize in the syrup after about a day.

Storing

This recipe should be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to one month. It freezes well. Freeze it in an air tight container with room for expansion. Store in the freezer for up to three months. Alternatively, most ice cube tray holes are about 1 ounce. This can be frozen as cubes so that you can thaw just one ounce at a time.

Cocktails to Use This Recipe

• Whiskey Sour: You can’t beat this classic cocktail.
• There Ingredient Wine Slushies: These can be made in so many different flavors.
• White Wine Sangria: This classic is bound to become a favorite for ladies’ night.

If you give this a try, let me know how it goes and even more importantly, what recipe you used it in!