Description

There are so many fun syrups you can make simply out of fruits, herbs, and spices! I like to do single flavors or combinations that compliment each other well. You can also use brown sugar instead of white for a richer (and darker color) molasses flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups water
2 cups granulated sugar
Fruit, berries, spices, or herbs of choice

Different Flavoring Ideas:

Fruit:
Berries (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, boysenberries, blueberries, etc…) -fresh or frozen, about 1 cup
Currants (about 1 cup)
Cherries (about 1 cup)
Oregon grapes (about 1/2 to 1 cup)
Grapes (about 1 cup)
Figs
Kumquats (about 1 cup, sliced in half)
Lemon or orange peel (add to compliment other flavors or add zest of 1 lemon with sugar plus 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice after simmering)
Dried fruit (about 6 oz dried apricots)

Herbs + Chilies
Rosemary sprigs (about 4 thin branch/sprigs_
Pandan leaves (see video)
Thai lime leaves -about 3 to 4 (double leaves)
Fresh mint sprigs (about 1 big handful)
Thai chilies or jalapeno chilies
Fresh thyme sprigs (about 1 handful)
Lavender (about 4-6 tablespoons culinary grade flowers)
Lemon verbena (about 1 big handful)

Extracts:
Vanilla (about 2 tablespoons added after simmering) -use a strong flavored natural one like Nielsen-Massey)
Rose extract or rosewater (Nielsen-Massey makes my favorite!)
Orange blossom water
Almond
Vanilla bean (about 2 whole or split)

Spices + Tea:
Cinnamon (about 4 sticks)
Cardamom (about 6 cracked pods)
Allspice
Nutmeg
Cloves
Ginger (use fresh diced ginger root)
Smoked tea (lapsang Souchong)

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Instructions

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add fruit, spices, or herbs of choice, and let simmer slowly, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let mixture cool completely. Strain into a clean jar and refrigerate. The flavors will continue to deepen as the syrup sits in the refrigerator.

Notes

If using an extract like almond, vanilla, rose, rosewater or orange blossom water, add it the very end of cooking.

Category: Cocktails