Have you passed on making a recipe because it called for simple syrup and you didn't feel like running to the specialty store and paying four – five bucks for a small bottle of sugar water? Well, pull out those recipes because you can make simple syrup yourself easily and inexpensively!
How to Make Simple Syrup
To make simple syrup, you need to use equal parts of sugar and water. I use unrefined sugar when I make simple syrup. If you use white sugar, your simple syrup will be clear, unless you make one of the colored variations listed at the bottom of the recipe.
Simple Syrup Recipe
Yield: 1 1/4 cup
Prep Time: 1 – 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Directions:
1. Add water and sugar to a saucepan and cook over a medium flame until it reaches a boil. 2. Cook for 1 -2 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let sit to cool to room temperature.
Use simple syrup in a recipe or store it in a clean glass jar with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to a 6 months.
Simple Syrup Variations:
Add the zest of one orange.
Add the zest of one lemon.
Add 1 -2 tablespoons minced mint leaves.
Replace half of the water with rose water.
Replace the water with coffee.
You can strain the larger bits of zest or mint leaves through a sieve, but I like to leave them in.
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Add water and sugar to a saucepan and cook over a medium flame until it reaches a boil. Cook for 1 -2 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let sit to cool to room temperature.
- Use simple syrup in a recipe or store it in a clean glass jar with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to a 6 months.
Recipes that Use Simple Syrup:
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
July 15, 2011 at 6:40 amAlea, this is such an excellent post! I had no idea of the variations you could make on simple syrup, and I do think a lot of folks hesitate to make it because they think it is difficult. Thank you for sharing this!
Kitchen Belleicious says
July 15, 2011 at 6:40 amI love making simple syrup. Easiest way to add the most flavor to drinks. Your suggestions and tips are right on! Have a great weekend
free2befrugal says
July 15, 2011 at 11:22 amHey I’m diabetic do you think this works with Splenda? I’d love to try making fresh lemonade or limeade!
Great blog you have here!
Alea says
July 15, 2011 at 11:31 amI haven’t tried it, but I have heard that it works. Replace the sugar with the equivalent amount of splenda (I can’t remember if it is 1:1, but the box will tell you). You can also try halving the recipe to see if you like the results before you make a large batch.
mub says
April 24, 2012 at 7:23 amIt does work but it doesn’t really have the same consistency as a real sugar syrup. I do find it to be a suitable replacement though =)
Annie Jones says
July 15, 2011 at 3:43 pmI like using simple syrup to sweeten tea that is already cold (it dissolves better than granulated sugar) and also for making lemonade. It seems the lemonade stays fresh longer with a cooked syrup in it rather than plain sugar.
Kimberly says
July 19, 2011 at 5:04 amGreat minds must think alike, I was going to write about this next week! 🙂
Ramona Campbell says
July 19, 2011 at 6:36 amWe always made ours at home by doing the sugar & water. We put in a few drops of maple flavoring.
Have always liked it. Grandma
Julia in West Des Moines, IA says
July 19, 2011 at 9:37 pmWe’ve done maple syrup like Grandma wrote above, Hi Grandma! and also use simple syrup as a base for our whole berry cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving time. Thanks for joining the Frugal Tuesday Tip. http://juliecache.com/2011/07/18/frugal-tuesday-tip-and-a-winner
Josef Coons says
July 21, 2011 at 9:51 amGreat blog. Found the info very interesting thanks. Found your site through yahoo Good luck
Kate Tho says
June 27, 2013 at 11:09 amcan i use brown sugar?