How to make simple syrup

There’s a couple places you can go wrong here. You really don’t want to burn the sugar. It’s a mess. So always opt for lower-than-you-think-you-need heat.

Secondly, you need to give this recipe proper time to cool before you use it or store it. That means having the foresight to make simple syrup before cocktail hour — an hour before is the latest (for this recipe, at least).

The good news is, simple syrup stays good for up to 1 month when stored properly in the refrigerator. So go ahead and double the recipe to save yourself the time (and extra dishes).

How to store Simple syrup

We usually use mason jars to store our simple syrup, as they are heat resistant, food safe, and easy to clean. We also like food safe squeeze bottles (like these) when we have a smaller batch.

Make flavored Simple syrup

You can open up entirely new flavor profiles (and save yourself money) by making your own flavored simple syrup. All it takes is a bit of…the flavor you want! Just add to the pot along with the sugar & water, and remove with strainer when cooled.

Tip: Use cheesecloth to contain smaller, hard-to-strain ingredients for easy clean-up later.

Here are some easy & delicious simple syrups you can easily make:

• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• Fresh herbs, like rosemary, thyme, and mint
• Peel of fresh lemon or lime
• Halved chili peppers
• Fresh berries (wrapped in cheesecloth for easy removal)
• Crush black peppercorns
• Ginger