30 minutes
A basic simple syrup recipe for sweetening drinks or desserts with a clear, sweet syrup.
1. Combine Water and Sugar
Begin by combining 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir the mixture together to ensure the sugar is evenly distributed in the water. This helps prevent any sugar from sticking to the bottom of the pan as you heat it.
2. Dissolve Sugar
Place the saucepan over medium heat and continue to stir occasionally. As the mixture heats up, you'll notice the sugar starting to dissolve. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and watch as the sugar completely dissolves, leaving you with a clear syrup. The heat is crucial here, as it helps the sugar fully integrate with the water without leaving any visible granules.
3. Cool the Syrup
Once the sugar is fully dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the syrup to cool down to room temperature. This cooling step is important because it helps the syrup thicken slightly, making it ready for storage or immediate use.
4. Store the Syrup
Pour the cooled syrup into a bowl or a suitable container. It's best to use a container with a tight-fitting lid to keep the syrup fresh. Store the syrup in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to a month, ready to sweeten your favorite beverages or dishes whenever you need it.
Infuse syrup with fresh herbs, citrus peels, ginger, or whole spices after dissolving the sugar, and strain before storing.
Use a 1:1 ratio for classic syrup, and a 2:1 ratio for a richer, thicker syrup, suitable for cocktails that require more body.
Heat the water first, remove from heat, then add sugar, stirring until dissolved to minimize caramelization.
Consider using organic cane sugar for a hint of molasses flavor, or demerara or turbinado sugar for a caramel-like complexity.
Use simple syrup to sweeten iced teas, coffees, lemonades, moisten cakes and muffins, as a base for sorbets, or drizzled over fresh fruit.
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