Have you ever tried mixing sugar into a cold drink? The sugar doesn’t dissolve well, and you’re left with a super-sweet pool at the bottom of your drink. That’s where simple syrup comes in. It’s used to sweeten iced coffee, teas, lemonades and cocktails, among many other things. And it’s not called “simple” syrup for nothing. Making it is super easy, and it is a great thing to have on hand for many uses in the kitchen!
To make basic simple syrup, you’ll need equal amounts of sugar and water. Pour the cold water and sugar into a pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes, and remove from flame to cool. Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate for up to a month.
Uses: Simple syrup can be used to sweeten cold drinks, dress a fruit salad, poach fruits, make candied nuts, and make sorbet.
Note: If you want a thinner simple syrup that is less sweet, you can always change the ratio of sugar to water. Use 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part sugar for a thinner syrup.
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