How to Make Simple Syrup (+ How to Store Sugar Syrup)

Learn how to make simple syrup, discover how long it lasts in the fridge, and get the best storage tips using airtight containers. Enhance your cocktails and desserts with homemade simple syrups and rich variations.

Simple syrup is a staple ingredient in both cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, providing the perfect balance of sweetness. From Margaritas, French 75s, and whiskey sours to lemonade, iced coffees, and mocktails, its versatility is unmatched. Beyond drinks, simple syrup enhances desserts by sweetening whipped cream, moistening cake layers, and creating delectable glazes. While it's easy to make at home, questions often arise about its shelf life and proper storage. This guide delves into the factors that affect the longevity of homemade simple syrups, signs of spoilage, and best practices for storage, highlighting that different types have varying shelf lives.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make Simple Syrup
• Simple Syrup vs. Rich Syrup
• Hot vs. Cold-Processed Simple Syrup
• Variations
• How to Use Simple Syrup
• Shelf Life of Simple Syrup
• Storage Instructions
• FAQ's
• How to Make Simple Syrup (+ How to Store Sugar Syrup)

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar: Acts as the primary sweetening agent, dissolving to create the syrup's liquid form.
• Water: Serves as the base, allowing the sugar to dissolve evenly over medium heat.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Make the Sugar Syrup

• Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely, about 1–2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the sugar dissolves or the temperature reaches 60°C (140°F). Avoid simmering or boiling the mixture.

Cool and Store

• Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to a clean, airtight container or jar. Refrigerate and use within 1 month.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Simple syrup is a staple for sweetening drinks like cocktails, iced teas, and lemonades. It’s also great for brushing onto cakes to keep them moist or adding to fruit salads for extra sweetness. Enjoy!

Simple Syrup vs. Rich Syrup

• Simple Syrup: Made with equal parts water and sugar, resulting in a versatile and neutral syrup that's easy and affordable to produce.
• Rich Simple Syrup: Uses two parts sugar to one part water. Ideal for sweetening without adding too much volume. Using a kitchen scale is best due to varying sugar granule sizes affecting volume measurements.

Hot vs. Cold-Processed Simple Syrup

• Hot Method: Commonly used, involving heating sugar and water on the stovetop until the sugar dissolves. Once cooled, it's ready to use. Heating the mixture kills microbes, resulting in a longer shelf life.
• Cold Method: Sugar dissolves in water at room temperature with stirring. Best with superfine sugar for small batches, taking about 15 minutes. Lacks the extended shelf life since it doesn't involve heat.

Variations

Sugar Options

• Standard Simple Syrup: Uses granulated white sugar for the most neutral taste.
• Demerara Sugars: Offer molasses notes and caramel complexity.
• Brown Sugar or Muscovado Sugar: Provide a more pronounced molasses flavor.
• Alternatives: Coconut sugar, palm sugar, agave, honey, molasses, and maple syrup can be used for different flavors.

Infusions

• Whole Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, vanilla bean, black peppercorns, ginger root.
• Herbs: Rosemary, basil, mint, thyme.
• Fresh Fruit: Citrus zest and juice, watermelon, berries.

How to Use Simple Syrup

• Mocktails or Cocktails: Enhance drinks like mint juleps, old fashioned, Red Wine Sangria, Gin Christmas Cocktail, White Christmas Sangria, Homemade Lemonade and iced teas.
• Infused Simple Syrup: Add flavors to iced coffees such as vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, or pumpkin spice. Mix with seltzer or club soda for an alcohol-free refresher.
• Desserts: Poach fruits. Brush onto cake layers for added moisture. Drizzle over fruit salads and pancakes for extra sweetness. Use in sorbets and ice creams: for a smooth texture.

Shelf Life of Simple Syrup

Tip: Contrary to popular belief simple syrups don't last forever.

• Store-Bought Syrups: Stored in a cool, dark place. They have a long shelf life due to added preservatives. Check the expiration date before using.
• Unopened Simple Syrup: Can be stored at room temperature in the pantry. Once opened, keep refrigerated for up to six months.
• Homemade Simple Syrup: Hot-Processed Simple Syrup lasts 2-4 weeks in the fridge. Extend shelf life by adding one or two tablespoons of vodka after preparation. This may slightly alter the taste, but it's typically not perceptible in cocktails.

Storage Instructions

• Store simple syrup in a sterile container with a tight seal in the refrigerator.
• Airtight Container: Use a sealed glass jar like a Mason jar. Glass containers are preferred as they won't leach other flavors into the syrup.
• Clean Container: Wash with hot water and dish soap or run through the dishwasher. Ensure the container is air-dried before filling with homemade syrup.
• Refrigerate: Shelf life depends on the cleanliness of the container and the sugar content. A standard one-to-one sugar-to-water ratio lasts about one month in the fridge.

FAQ's

Making simple syrup at home is both easy and cost-effective, enhancing a variety of drinks and desserts. By following proper storage guidelines and being mindful of its shelf life, you can enjoy this versatile liquid sweetener for weeks. Next time you whip up a batch, remember these tips to keep your syrup fresh and flavorful. Enjoy your crafting, and don't hesitate to experiment with different recipes and flavors!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.