How To Make Simple Syrup at Home
All the greatest cocktails involve a little sweetness and making a simple syrup at home is so easy!
In this blog we will teach you how to make the following:
- Orange Simple Syrup
- Cherry Simple Syrup
- Ginger Simple Syrup
Before we start, let's know where simple syrup came from and why we use it!
A brief history of simple syrup
Once upon a sugar high, a culinary superhero burst onto the scene – Simple Syrup! Born out of the chaotic mixology experiments of the 19th century, this sweet sidekick was the solution to every bartender's sugar dilemma.
Picture this: frustrated mixologists dealing with stubborn sugar crystals in their drinks. Cue the entrance of simple syrup, swooping in to save the day with its perfect blend of water and sugar. No more gritty cocktails – just smooth, sweet bliss.
But wait, there's more! Simple syrup didn't stop at the bar; it crashed into the kitchen, high-fiving bakers and chefs along the way. Its liquid charm made it the go-to sweetener for everything from cakes to cocktails, ensuring a sugar victory in every bite and sip.
As time zipped by, simple syrup got a makeover, with fancy flavored versions and a sprinkle of modern flair. Today, it's the unsung hero behind the scenes, making sure your drinks are sweet, your desserts are moist, and everyone's having a tastefully good time. Cheers to simple syrup – the sweet saga that keeps on stirring!
NOW ONTO THE RECIPES!
Orange Simple Syrup Recipe
At Wolfhead we use orange simple syrup in a few of our best selling cocktails including:
The Heaven's Door and our Signature Cosmo.
Ingredients For Orange Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 oranges
Instructions:
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Prepare the Oranges: Wash the oranges thoroughly. Using a zester or a fine grater, zest the outer orange part of the peel. Avoid including the bitter white pith beneath the zest.
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Combine Water and Sugar: In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and granulated sugar. Use 1 cup of each for this recipe. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
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Add Orange Zest: Once the sugar has dissolved, add the orange zest to the saucepan. Stir the mixture gently, ensuring the orange flavor infuses into the syrup.
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Simmer: Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the orange zest to impart its flavor into the syrup. Stir occasionally.
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Cooling and Straining: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the orange simple syrup cool to room temperature. If you prefer a smooth syrup, strain the mixture to remove the orange zest. If you like a bit of texture, you can skip this step.
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Storage: Transfer the orange simple syrup to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Label the container with the flavor and date for easy reference.
Check out our recipe for the Cosmo here.
Check out our recipe for Heaven's door here.
Cherry Simple Syrup Recipe
At Wolfhead we use cherry simple syrup in a few of our favourite cocktails including:
The Old Fashioned and the Manhattan
Ingredients for Cherry Simple Syrup:
- Sugar
- Water
- Cherries
Instructions:
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Prepare the Cherries: Start by pitting and halving the cherries. If using fresh cherries, remove the pits with a cherry pitter. If using frozen cherries, ensure they are thawed before starting.
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Combine Water and Sugar: In a saucepan, combine equal parts water and granulated sugar. Use 1 cup of each for this recipe. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
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Add Cherries: Once the sugar has dissolved, add the pitted and halved cherries to the saucepan. Stir the mixture gently to ensure the cherries are well incorporated.
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Simmer: Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the cherries to release their flavor into the syrup. Stir occasionally.
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Mash or Strain (Optional): If you prefer a smoother syrup, you can either mash the cherries with a spoon during the simmering process or strain the mixture after simmering to remove the cherry solids. If you enjoy a bit of texture, you can skip this step.
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Cooling and Straining (if not done earlier): Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cherry simple syrup cool to room temperature. If you haven't already strained the mixture, you can do so at this point to remove any remaining solids.
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Storage: Transfer the cherry simple syrup to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure to label the container with the flavor and date.
Now you have a delightful cherry-infused simple syrup ready to add a burst of fruity sweetness to your beverages, cocktails, or desserts!
Check out our recipe for the Wolfhead Mojito here.
Check out our recipe for a Big Apple Manhattan Here.
Ginger Simple Syrup Recipe
At Wolfhead we use cherry simple syrup in a few of our favourite cocktails including:
The Old Fashioned and the Manhattan
Ingredients for Ginger Simple Syrup:
- Sugar
- Water
- Ginger
Instructions:
Instructions:
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Prepare the Ginger: Peel and slice the fresh ginger into thin rounds. This helps to extract maximum flavor from the ginger.
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Combine Water and Sugar: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
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Add Ginger: Add the sliced ginger to the saucepan. Stir the mixture gently, ensuring that the ginger is well incorporated.
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Simmer: Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the ginger to infuse its flavor into the syrup. Stir occasionally.
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Cooling and Straining: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the ginger simple syrup cool to room temperature. If you prefer a smoother syrup, strain the mixture to remove the ginger pieces. If you enjoy a more intense ginger flavor and a bit of texture, you can skip this step.
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Storage: Transfer the ginger simple syrup to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure to label the container with the flavor and date.
This ginger-infused simple syrup adds a zesty kick to cocktails, mocktails, and even desserts. Experiment with the quantity of ginger to achieve your preferred level of spiciness!
Check out our recipe for an Apple Berry Mule Here.
Check out our recipe for a Tropic Berry Mule Here.