With just two ingredients and a few minutes, you can create a sweet liquid that blends effortlessly into your favorite coffee.
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water. Because it’s already in liquid form, it’s easy to mix into cold drinks, where granulated sugar would otherwise have trouble dissolving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar (granulated white sugar is classic, but you can experiment with other sugars for different flavors)
- 1 cup of water
This 1:1 ratio creates what’s called a “standard” simple syrup. For a sweeter, thicker syrup, called "rich", you can try a 2:1 ratio (2 cups sugar to 1 cup water).
How to Make Simple Syrup
1. Combine Sugar and Water
Pour the sugar and water into a small saucepan.
2. Heat and Stir
Place the pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved. This usually takes 3–5 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil—it’s unnecessary and can darken the syrup.
3. Cool the Syrup
Remove the pan from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
4. Store It
Pour the cooled syrup into a clean, airtight container or jar. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about a month.
Customizing Your Simple Syrup
Here’s where the fun begins! You can infuse your syrup with flavors by adding ingredients during the heating process. Some ideas:
- Herbs: Mint, rosemary, or basil for a fragrant twist.
- Citrus: Add zest or slices of lemon, lime, or orange.
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, or vanilla beans for a warm, spicy flavor.
- Fruits: Berries or ginger slices for a fruity kick.
Pro Tip: Experiment with Sugars
Swap out granulated white sugar for brown sugar, honey, or coconut sugar to create syrups with deeper, richer flavors.
