How to Make Simple Syrup: Infusions & Uses

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4 jars of infused simple syrup

I’m really excited to bring you this latest how to guide guys! Simple syrups are one of those easy to make, easy to use ingredients that I’m kind of irritated I haven’t been using all along. Now that I’ve really begun to play with the huge variety of flavors, and the creative uses for them, I’ve decided to was time to share how to make simple syrup.

Since simple syrup is a ridiculously easy thing to make, I’ll also be exploring the options for infusing simple syrups with other flavors. Then, once you have a plethora of ideas and are itching to get in the kitchen, I’ll arm you with even more ideas on how to use your delicious syrupy concoctions. Are you excited yet?

How to Make Simple Syrup

So what is simple syrup exactly? The answer to that question, and the technique for making it are one in the same.

Simple syrup is, quite simply (ha), is a sweet syrup made from sugar and water. Here in the U.S. a simple syrup is made with ratio of 1 part sugar dissolved into 1 part water. In the U.K. (or so I hear), simple syrup is made with 2 parts sugar and 1 part water. Here, we’d call that rich simple syrup.

a pot of sugar and a measuring cup of water

Regardless of the ratio you choose the technique is the same. Over medium heat, combine sugar and water, and dissolve.

Tips for Perfection

  • Measure by weight, not volume. I can’t stress enough how much more accurate weight measurement is over volume. 1 cup of water is 8 ounces, 1 cup of sugar is only 7. Weight solves this problem.
  • Do not allow the mixture to boil. Boiling will lead to evaporation, and concentrate the syrup beyond what a simple syrup should be.

How to Infuse Simple Syrup

Okay, so the base simple syrup is made, and you’re excited to use it, but why stop there? While a basic, simple syrup is a favorite of bartenders all over the world, adding in different flavors can seriously elevate a recipe.

As easy as making that syrup is, infusing it is just as simple. To infuse a simple syrup with flavor make the syrup, then once the sugar is dissolved, add in your flavor of choice. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let the ingredient steep for 30 minutes.

rosemary steeping in simple syrup

Once steeped, I recommend tasting for intensity. If you like the flavor, strain out the additions through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. If you don’t have those, you can scoop it out with a slotted spoon, but small bits may linger in your syrup. Then store in an airtight container for up to a month.

Tools for Success

A sieve is an essential tool in your kitchen, I use it in all of these recipes:

Get yourself a sieve set, you’ll use it! When I make simple syrup, I also found a wide mouth funnel and mason jars to be helpful.

a wide mouth funnel, a sieve, and a jar

Infusion Flavor Suggestions

When it comes to deciding what to infuse, it can be a challenge – but only because there are SO MANY OPTIONS. Seriously, when I was preparing to write this post, I just gathered some things from my kitchen and found over 10 options in less than 5 minutes. Then once I’d taken the pictures, I realized I left out a whole bunch more!

a variety of flavor additions, ginger, citrus, peaches, cinnamon, spices
  • Fresh Produce – celebrate those fresh flavors, especially when a season is coming to an end and you don’t want to let go of your favorites just yet.
    • Fruits – Peaches, plums, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and watermelons are all delicious
    • Peppers – Spicy or sweet can make a delicious, interesting simple syrup.
    • Citrus – Lemons, limes, and oranges are classic and bright add ins.
  • Spices – Check that pantry cupboard and you’ll be surprised at the huge variety of options lurking among your spices. Use whole spices, not the ground stuff.
    • Dried – Cloves, allspice, coriander, saffron, vanilla, peppercorns, nutmeg, and cinnamon
    • Fresh – ginger or turmeric root.
  • Herbs – These are an easy, inexpensive way to pack flavor into your syrup, and also a great way to use of herbs that might go bad before you use them.
    • Mint, basil, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro are my favorites.

Go with flavors you like and experiment! See what inspires, you. Got some extra coffee beans at the bottom of a bag? Why not! A tea you’re particularly fond of? Sounds like a plan. Lavender, rose, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.

Feeling daring? Go for combo infusions like lemon basil, orange and ginger, or a vanilla allspice.

How much do I add?

For a basic 8 ounce to 8 ounce (a cup of water and basically a cup of sugar), these were the amounts that delivered flavor I was happy with in a 30 minute steep.

  • Fruit – 1 cup of lightly chopped fruit.
  • Herbs – a small fistful or a few tablespoons lightly chopped.
  • Spices – 1 tablespoon
  • Citrus – Replace 1/4 of the liquid (2 ounces) with fresh squeezed juice, dissolve sugar, and then add in the zest of all the fruit you squeezed.
    • Please note that avoiding the white pith of citrus is essential, otherwise your syrup may become bitter. Zest is the easiest way, or use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the peel without the white beneath. Be sure to strain in through a sieve to remove zest and pulp.

How to Use Simple Syrup

Now that you’re all inspired and mentally going through your pantry, what can you do with all these delicious syrups? As I mentioned, simply syrup is a favorite of bartenders, and for good reason, but the options go far beyond beverages as well!

a margarita and a shirley temple

Beverages – The classic and most popular use, either a pure simple syrup or an infused one can jazz up your drinks. Because it’s a liquid sugar, it dissolves much better into cool liquids than whole sugar.

  • Ice Teas, Italian cream sodas, coffee, shirley temples, margaritas, mojitos, wine spritzers, and lemonades are just a few. Add a flavored syrup to soda water for a fun new drink, or champagne with juice for a funky new mimosa.

Baking – Simple syrup has long been appreciated by bakers for it’s ability to keep layer cakes moist. Simply brush the syrup onto the cakes before frosting. But it can also be used to brush on scones, cornbreads, or biscuits for a great new flavor.

Vegetables and Fruits – Glaze veggies like carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes or brussel sprouts with a ginger, thyme, or lemon simple syrup. Or go with fruits for a yummy fresh dessert like cinnamon glazed peaches. It can even be used as part or all of a poaching liquid for fruits.

Sauces – Use simple syrup in your vinaigrettes, yogurt sauces, or glazes for savory meats like orange glazed chicken or ginger glazed pork chops. I just used rosemary simple syrup for a delicious white wine vinaigrette, and ginger simple syrup for a fresh fruit salad. It also can be a lovely drizzle over an ice cream or parfait.

Marinades – Replace sugars in marinades with an infused simple syrup for a wonderful spin on classic combos. Basil with a fresh citrus marinade, or ginger with soy sauce.

You really can use simple syrup in so many ways – in your whipped creams, as a drizzle on pancakes, or in sorbets, it’s liquefied sugar, and can replace the sugar a recipe calls for a lot of the time with ease.

Questions about How to Make Simple Syrup

Can I use other sugars? Yes! While white granulated sugar will produce the clearest, cleanest flavor, other sugars can most certainly be used. Cane sugar works wonderfully but will turn the syrup a caramel brown, brown sugar will also, and is delicious with warm spices like nutmeg and vanilla. Coconut and turbanido will also work.

How long can I store this? Safely stored in an airtight container, it will last 1 month in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Freeze it in ice cube trays for easy use later.

Can I make this shelf stable? According to Theresa at Growing a Greener World in this article, it absolutely can by canning it. The high sugar content, combined with at least 10 minutes processing in a water bath canner, will keep your sealed simple syrup sterilized and shelf stable for 1 year.

Can I reduce or increase this? Yes! Keep the ratio the same, 1:1, and you can make just enough for a recipe, or a large batch for those summer cookout cocktails.

overhead of 4 jars of infused simple syrup

Have I missed something? A question I left unanswered? Let me know in the comments below, or use my contact page to get in touch! I’d love to hear your favorite uses for simple syrup, or what you’re inspired to try next. Until next time, have fun experimenting, and as always, Happy Eating!

4 jars of infused simple syrup

How to Make Simple Syrup

Mikayla M.
Easy simple syrups are a wonderful way to bring flavor to drinks, recipes, and more. Infuse them with flavor for an added kick.
5 from 9 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Steeping time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Condiment, Pantry Staple
Cuisine American
Servings 32 Tablespoons
Calories 27 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces white sugar or 1 cup
  • 8 ounces water

Optional Infused flavors

  • 1 Tbs whole spices OR
  • 3 Tbs lightly chopped fresh herb OR
  • 1 cup lightly chopped fruit OR
  • 2 ounces citrus juice* plus zest*

Instructions
 

Classic Simple Syrup

  • Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and store in refrigerated up to one month.

Infused Simple Syrup

  • Combine sugar and water, stire until dissolved and hot, remove from heat, add in mix ins, cover and allow to steep for at least 30 minutes.
  • Strain add ins through fine mesh sieve into a storage jar. Makes 2 cups. Store in fridge up to 1 month.

Notes

*Replace 2 ounces of water with 2 ounces of squeezed juice for citrus infusions.
*Be sure to avoid the white part of the citrus to make sure your syrup isn’t bitter.

Nutrition

Calories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 7gSodium: 1mgSugar: 7g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
3 jars of flavored simple syrups

Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.

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14 Comments

  1. I love this syrup for sweetening iced tea and I am so excited about all the possible flavors! I tried apple, pomegranate, and blueberry. I let them sit for 40 minutes in the cooling syrup. I think the flavor was there mildly but not as strong as I would like. Should I have crushed my berries and pomegranate a little or let them sit in the syrup for a longer time?

    Thank you for sharing this simple syrup with your readers. Your website is my new rabbit hole =-)

    1. Hi Amanda! I’m glad you’re enjoying my site and whipping up some simple syrups. I definitely recommend lightly chopping fruit like blueberries or apples so more surface area can be exposed to the syrup. For pomegranate it’s kind of tricky. I would treat that more like citrus, and replace between 1/4 to 1/2 the liquid with pomegranate juice, even then the flavor might be mild. I make a pomegranate syrup with pure juice that might work if you’re after more intense flavor. Simple syrups are fabulous for infusions, but they’re not as intense as a fruit syrup made with pure juice. I hope you have fun experimenting! Let me know if you have any more questions!

  2. Just found this site. This looks great. Do you know if the fruit or herb can be used dried or does it have to be fresh?

    1. Hi Kate, thanks for stopping by! I don’t see any reason dried herbs or fruit wouldn’t work, the hot syrup should extract flavor regardless. Unfortunately I don’t know how long it might take with those sources. I’d start with half the amount you’d use of the fresh fruit/herb and keep an eye on it until it tastes right. I’d love it if you let me know how it goes!

  3. 5 stars
    Loving how easy it is to make simple syrup at home! My husband is so excited to make some cocktails this weekend.