Simple Sugar Syrup
This is the workhorse of the home kitchen. Having a bottle of this in the fridge means you can sweeten iced tea, lemonade, or cocktails instantly without seeing undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass.
Clarity is your goal.
The syrup should be crystal clear. If it looks cloudy, it means the sugar hasn't fully dissolved or you have impurities in your water.
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or silicone spatula
- Glass storage jar
What goes in.
- 1 cupgranulated white sugar
- 1 cupwater
Temperature Control
Keep the heat at medium-low. You want to dissolve the sugar, not boil the water down into a thick, sticky caramel.
The method.
Combine the ingredients
Pour the sugar and water into the saucepan. Do not turn on the heat yet.
Heat gently
Set the pan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to encourage the sugar to release into the water.
Monitor for clarity
Watch for the moment the liquid transforms from cloudy to completely transparent. As soon as the last grain vanishes, pull the pan off the burner.
Cool and store
Let it cool completely at room temperature before pouring it into a glass jar. Seal it tight and keep it in the refrigerator.
Other turns to take.
Rich Simple Syrup
Use two parts sugar to one part water. This results in a thicker, more concentrated syrup that lasts longer in the fridge.
Infused Syrup
Add a strip of lemon zest, a cinnamon stick, or fresh mint leaves while the syrup is cooling to pull the aromatics into the liquid.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Always use a glass container; plastic can hold onto old odors that will ruin the clean taste of your syrup.
If you want to keep the syrup for more than two weeks, add a small splash of vodka as a stabilizer.
If the syrup looks yellow or tastes burnt, you've used too much heat—start over.
The ones that keep coming up.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because there is no preservative, it will spoil at room temperature within a few days. It stays good for about a month in the fridge.
Can I use brown sugar?
You can, but it will no longer be a 'simple' syrup. It will have a deep molasses flavor and a dark color, which works well for coffee or certain baked goods but will clash with delicate drinks.
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