Simple syrup is used in many drink recipes, but also in desserts too. Traditionally made with white sugar you can make 'sugar' syrup sugar-free too!
What is it?
Simple syrup is a basic used by bartenders to make cocktails. This syrup is a basic 1:1 sugar water mixture made by dissolving sugar in hot water. You can also make rich syrup, which is a 2:1 ratio.
This syrup is used in beverages because it mixes well. The sugar has already been dissolved prior to making the cocktail so the sugar distributes more evenly otherwise just using granulated sugar would settle to the bottom of the drink and not mix well.
Are there different types?
Regular 'sugar' syrup is just made with granulated sugar and water. It's easy to make but you can purchase prepared versions.
You can easily add flavor to your simple syrup by cooking fruit or herbs in the water while heating it and straining the syrup to separate the pulp from the juice.
Can you make sugar-free syrup?
If you want to decrease your consumption of sugar you can use a granulated sugar substitute in place of sugar to make drink syrup. A sugar-free simple syrup can be made with granulated Stevia in the Raw, Splenda, or Swerve for example.
Keep in mind that these products don't taste exactly the same as sugar, so will change the taste of your drink or dessert.
Recipe
How to Make Simple Syrup Two Ways
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar or a sugar-substitute
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup of water to a low boil in a small saucepan.
- Turn off the heat as soon as the water begins to boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat source.
- Stir in sugar or sugar substitute of your choice.
- Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved for about 3 minutes.
Notes
- Infused flavors by adding in herbs or fruit peels while the water is heating.
- Use a sugar substitute instead of sugar to make a sugar-free syrup.
Nutrition
How long can I keep my batch of syrup?
Homemade sugar syrup should be kept cold and stored in your refrigerator. This recipe, which is a 1:1 ratio can be kept for about a month. Rich syrup can be stored for up to 6 months.
Michaela says
Hi! I’ve made this a few times and I keep having mine crystallizing after about a week. Do you know why?
lana hoppe says
What is rich syrup?
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
I mention this in the first paragraph of the post. Rich syrup is made with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water rather than a 1:1 ratio.