Simple syrup is an essential part of mixology! It allows you to sweeten your favorite cold drinks without leaving granules at the bottom of your glass. While you can get it at the grocery store, you have all the ingredients you need to make your own at home! All you need is sugar and water for a basic simple syrup. To flavor it, you can also use other ingredients you have on hand and infuse them into your syrup. Afterwards, your simple syrup will be just as delicious in your cocktails as in your iced coffee and tea!
PRESERVATION
Simple syrup can be preserved for a fairly long time. By storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can be good for up to two months.
HOT OR COLD INFUSION?
To keep the refreshing taste of some ingredients, such as fresh herbs and citrus peels, it may be interesting to try cold infusion. For others, such as cinnamon, vanilla beans, cranberries or fir, it is easier to use the hot infusion technique.
THE RECIPE
In a saucepan, combine equal parts sugar and water (we suggest starting with 2 cups of sugar for 2 cups of water). Simmer over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then your basic simple syrup is ready!
For a cold infusion, let the simple syrup cool before pouring it into a container and adding the desired flavours. Close the container tightly and let it macerate for about 12 hours in the refrigerator.
For a hot infusion, add the flavouring ingredients directly to the simple syrup saucepan. Reduce heat and let it infuse for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste the syrup to determine whether the syrup is ready. Be careful not to burn yourself! When the infusion is complete, allow the syrup to cool, then pour it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator.
Voilà! You can now have fun creating all sorts of simple syrups for your various cocktail recipes!
GET INSPIRED
Many of our cocktail recipes use flavored simple syrup. For exemple, discover the Black Currant French 75, which uses cold infusion with its rosemary simple syrup; the Nordic Cosmo, which is made with a cranberry syrup and therefore hot infusion; or the Rum Coco, a non-alcoholic cocktail created with a cinnamon syrup, among other ingredients.