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Homemade Simple Syrup

August 29, 2019 by Michelle | 2 Comments

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simple syrup in a clear pitcher with a text overlay that says now cook this homemade simple syrup

When you know how to make Homemade Simple Syrup, sweetening your favorite cold drinks and cocktails is quick and easy – no more waiting for the sugar to dissolve!

clear glass pitcher of homemade simple syrup this recipe

Isn’t it frustrating when you have a nice tall glass of unsweetened iced tea, and you add some sugar to sweeten it up, and then you sit there and stir, and stir, and stir, just waiting for that sugar to dissolve? It takes too darn long. Enter simple syrup. Problem solved!

WHAT IS SIMPLE SYRUP?

Simple syrup is simply a mixture of sugar and water that is heated until the sugar dissolves. That’s it!

Keep a batch in your refrigerator to instantly sweeten your favorite beverages…pour some in, give it a quick stir, and you’re done! No more waiting, endless stirring, or gritty bits of sugar in your drink!

The best part? Making simple syrup is just as its name promises…SIMPLE!

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:

  • Sugar
  • Water

HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SIMPLE SYRUP:

three images showing steps to make homemade simple syrup
three images showing steps to make homemade simple syrup

Just a quick note: This is not a thick syrup like maple syrup or corn syrup. It’s pretty much the consistency of water, maybe just a tad thicker.

The recipe is very easy to remember, too! It’s a 1:1 ratio – equal parts sugar and water. You can make as little or as much as you want.

Whether you use a dry or a liquid measuring cup, just use the same measuring cup for both the sugar and the water, since you want the amount of each to be equal (the volume of liquid and dry measuring cups are actually different).

Once it’s cooled, keep your simple syrup stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to a month.

mason jar of homemade simple syrup next to a glass pitcher of homemade simple syrup

Use simple syrup to sweeten iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade, cocktails, mocktails, and more! I’ve got a great recipe for Cold Brew Iced Tea coming up next, and this syrup sweetens it beautifully!

You can also use simple syrup to keep cakes moist (brush or drizzle a little on each layer – not too much, though, as you don’t want your cake to become soggy).

AND you can even get fancy and infuse your simple syrup with flavors such as mint, vanilla, ginger, lemon, and more (stir in as soon as you take the syrup off the heat and let steep until the syrup tastes how you’d like, then remove).

I hope you try this recipe for Homemade Simple Syrup and love it as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!

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Homemade Simple Syrup

When you know how to make Homemade Simple Syrup, sweetening your favorite cold drinks and cocktails is quick and easy – no more waiting for the sugar to dissolve!
4 from 1 vote
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Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 24 (1 tablespoon each – recipe makes about 1½ cups total)
Calories: 30
Author: Michelle / Now Cook This!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Combine the sugar and the water in a small saucepan.
  • Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is clear.
  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour into a mason jar or other air-tight container and cool completely.
  • Store your simple syrup in the refrigerator. It should last for up to one month.

Notes

  • The ratio for simple syrup is 1:1 (equal parts sugar and water), so you can make as little or as much as you want (larger batches may take a little more time). Use the same measuring cup for both the sugar and the water.  
  • In addition to sweetening drinks, you can use simple syrup to keep cakes moist. Brush or drizzle a little on each layer (not too much, though, as you don’t want your cake to become soggy).
  • You can also infuse your simple syrup with flavors such as mint, vanilla, ginger, lemon, and more. Add these items as soon as you have removed the syrup from the heat. Allow to steep until it tastes the way you’d like. Remove the flavoring items and store in the fridge. Note: flavored simple syrup has a shorter shelf life of about 1 to 2 weeks. 
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it!Mention @nowcookthis or tag #nowcookthisrecipes!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anamit Sen

    June 5, 2021 at 11:59 pm

    Can simple syrup be kept in freezer and made into ice cubes? Then depending on the sweetness required, one can add one,two or three cubes to a glass of one’s favourite cold beverage?

    Reply
    • Michelle

      June 6, 2021 at 9:13 am

      Hi, Anamit! Yes, you can freeze simple syrup. Once the cubes are frozen, be sure to put them in a freeze bag so they don’t pick up any off flavors from the freezer.

      Reply

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Welcome to my kitchen where something good is always cooking! I want us all to cook and eat at home more, so I’m here to share my favorite simple and delicious recipes that are perfect for the everyday home cook. I hope you will be inspired to get in the kitchen and try these recipes, and I hope they become some of your favorites too! Read more…

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