Simple syrup is essential for any bar. Particularly any bar that is looking to make great cocktails. Simple syrup is a key ingredient for some of the most popular cocktails like the old-fashioned or daiquiri. It can be used as a base to make infusion syrups, mocktails, housemade lemonade, sweet tea and more.
Here's a video on how to make simple syrup for cocktails for your bar, restaurant, or dinner parties.
See the full recipe and directions listed underneath the video. Read on to get storage tips and methods for making simple syrup infusions.
Tools and ingredients you'll need:
Heat source
Measuring cup
Spoon
Funnel
Glass container
Sugar
Water
There are a few different types of simple syrup you can make:
Common bar syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio, or equal parts white sugar to water.
Rich simple syrup is made with 2:1 ratio of white sugar to water.
Demerara syrup is a rich and deeply flavored version of simple syrup. Demerara uses brown sugar, generally demerara or turbinado syrup, at 1:1 ratio. These types of sugar add a caramel sweetness that is a great addition to cocktails.
You can also make honey syrup by cutting honey with an equal part of very hot, but no boiling water.
How to make regular simple syrup
Simple syrup recipe
Ingredients:
Water - 1 cup
White sugar - 1 cup
Directions:
Add water to a medium-sized saucepan
Heat on medium-high
Bring water to a slight boil and stir in sugar until it's all dissolved.
Remove pan from heat and let cool
Simple syrup shelf life
Regular simple syrup should last up to two weeks if kept refrigerated. Store simple syrup in a cleaned and sanitized glass container to ensure a longer shelf life.
Simple syrup infusions
To make an infusion like lavender simple syrup or grapefruit syrup, you'll want to bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, and then steep additional flavoring ingredients like you would tea.
Let cool for fifteen minutes then, with the help of a funnel, pour the simple syrup into a glass container and store it in the fridge.
Simple syrup should last for two weeks, but we've seen it last much longer without issue.
Once cooled, you can start mixing cocktails!
