Simple Syrup is used mainly for beverages such as lemonade (recipe here), fruit tea, limeade, virgin Mojitos (recipe here), virgin margaritas (recipe coming soon), etc. Simple syrup is also used as a pre-frosting glaze on cakes (to seal in the moisture) before a cake is frosted. Just make sure to lightly glaze a fairly cool cake if you try it out.
I learned about simple syrup when I worked in really high-end fine dinning restaurants that served celebrities (Bill Gates, Tom Cruise, Katy Perry, The Westgate family, Russell Brand, Suzanne Sommers, etc). The best restaurants always use simple syrup for beverages and for certain desserts and pastries. The reason why it is so commonly used in beverages is because the water does not separate from the sugar.
Think of a pitcher of Kool Aid. There is usually always a layer of sugar on the bottom because the sugar does not fully dissolve. As a result, the drink is not as smooth—some say it can be a bit grainy. So using this recipe will hike your beverages (even Kool Aid) up a notch in quality and taste.
Simple syrup is easy to customize with flavors using mint, vanilla, orange, lemon, etc. Just add fruit, flavoring, herbs etc. to it during the boiling process. Or if you want to customize the flavor afterwards, use a muddler (found here) to muddle mint leaves, limes, etc. into the simple syrup.
Some have asked if it can be used on pancakes and the like. I find it too runny for that. So unless you cook it down a lot more than the recipe calls for and flavor it, I would not recommend using it as a breakfast syrup.
Directions
Put equal parts water and sugar in a pot on high heat. Stir continuously. I love my miracle/zip whisk (found here) it is perfect for stirring and whisking beverages and frothing milk and cream as well.
Once it reaches a boil take off heat.
Allow to cool. Store in fridge.
Enjoy.
- 2 Cups water
- 2 Cups Sugar
- Put water and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil stir continuously. Once it reaches a boil take off heat and allow to cool. Store in fridge.
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I have never heard of this before! What a genius idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yeah I hadn’t either until working in fine dining. It’s an awesome recipe to have on hand. I have a lemonade and limeade recipes coming soon!