Keep your cakes moist, your coffee sweet or make a heat-busting lemonade – this two-ingredient homemade simple syrup is a versatile must-have for your pantry.
The best (and simplest!) ratio is 1:1 sugar to water. If you want a sweeter "rich sugar syrup", then use a ratio of 2:1 of sugar to water.
How to Make Simple Syrup
Add the sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a soft boil and stir constantly until the sugar completely dissolves. This will usually take 2-3 minutes. Be careful and keep an eye on the sugar and water so the sugar doesn't burn.
Once the sugar has completely dissolved, switch off the heat and allow the syrup to cool before transferring it to a sterilized, airtight glass jar/bottle. The syrup should be thin and easy to pour.
How To Store
Fridge: The classic 1:1 syrup can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. The rich version using the 2:1 ratio will keep you in the fridge for up to several months. It's also shelf-stable, so you can store it at room temperature if you prefer. If your mixture has turned cloudy, this can mean the simple syrup has spoiled and should be disposed of.
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Notes
What consistency is simple syrup? The basic syrup is fairly thin and easy to pour. However, rich s syrup will be thicker.
For a thicker syrup: bring the mixture to a boil and allow some of the water to evaporate. This will create a thicker syrup but will also change the water-to-sugar ratio.
Making flavored simple syrups: There are tons of ways to flavor your syrup using vanilla and other herbs and spices, alcohol, fruits, etc. Check the blog for my favorite variations.
Check the blog post for more tips and serving recommendations!