Simple Syrup

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup is a mix of sugar and water, commonly in equal parts. But below we’ll show you a few ways you can customise it to your taste. It is super easy to make and quick. Yes you can buy it, our recommendation though is to make it yourself, you know exactly what’s in it, it lasts for months and months (stored properly!), it’s cheaper and has a better texture.

Why should I make simple syrup?

It’s the most commonly used syrup in cocktail recipes. It will unlock a whole menu of cocktails you can make. It takes literally 5 minutes to make, you can put it in cocktails or over pancakes! Most cocktails call for a straight 1:1 simple syrup.

Our recommendation though is to make a semi-rich simple syrup – thats 1.5 parts sugar to 1 part water. We like the texture it adds, its a little more syrupy and adds a silky texture to your drinks. Plus, it stops them coming out ‘thin.’ You can balance out the sweetness by using a little less of it in a recipe that calls for straight simple. You’ll notice in our recipes we tend to call for a semi-rich. One of our favourites, the Bramble, is great with a semi-rich simple syrup. One more thing, in tropical style drinks it holds up really well against all that crushed ice.

Ingredients

So you have a few choices here. You can make a straight 1:1 simple syrup, semi-rich or rich syrup. We’ll tell you how to make ’em all. Essentially the only difference is the sugar to water ratio.

Got your shopping list to hand? You’ll need:

• Sugar
• Water

How to make it

1. Preheat a saucepan on a low heat
2. For a straight Simple Syrup measure out equal parts water and sugar by weight – caster sugar combines quickest but standard granulated will be fine, it’ll just take a little longer
   • For a semi-rich syrup make that weight ratio two parts sugar to one part water
   • For a rich syrup go two parts sugar to one part water
3. Once you have equal weights of both water and sugar, add them to the saucepan and stir to combine
4. Keep it on a low heat and stir it constantly, don’t let it boil or simmer, you’ll begin to make caramel!
5. It will go clear when all combined, keep stirring until all the sugar grains are gone
6. Once the grains are gone and its nice and clear, you’re done

Storing your simple syrup

Store in the fridge in an airtight bottle that has been sterilised beforehand. Stored this way it will last two weeks to a month.

Our tip, freeze it! It will last for months and months. Then decant a little syrup into a bottle in the fridge as you need it. Perfect, an indefinite supply of homemade simple syrup!