Simple syrup is a sugar syrup made from equal parts of sugar and water, cooked lightly into a syrup. There are many types of simple syrup, depending on the ratio of sugar to water and the type of sugar used. Rich simple is a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.
Simple syrup is used to provide a neutral sweetness to cocktails, and ensures no grainy undissolved sugar in the finished drink. While there are commercial versions of this bar staple, most of them are full of preservatives and other chemicals, and it is easy to make. Making a batch, letting it cool, and adding about a quarter cup of vodka per cup of syrup to preserve it takes twenty minutes.
Simple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator, labeled with the type and date.
Some popular cocktails containing Simple syrup
- Coffee Cobbler — Venezuelan rum, Coffee liqueur, Orange liqueur, Simple syrup, Lemon juice
- Kashmiri Caipirinha — Cachaça, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Tamarind, Turmeric, Chili pepper
- First Rodeo — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Peychaud's Bitters, Grapefruit juice, Soda water, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Orange peel
- My Dear Quarantine — Gin, Pear liqueur, Soda water, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Simple syrup, Lemon peel, Cardamom
- Black Bowtie Gimlet — Gin, Bitters, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Squid ink, Salt Solution
- Ume Klug — Gin, Junmai Sake, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Plum
- Walker Percy's Mint Julep — Bourbon, Simple syrup, Nutmeg, Mint
- Mexican Cloud — Tequila, Rhubarb bitters, Pomegranate juice, Simple syrup, Herbal liqueur
- The Secret Is in the Telling — Rum, Falernum, Lime juice, Simple syrup
- Selinon Soother (OG Version) — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Jamaican #1 bitters, Seltzer water, Lemon juice, Celery syrup, Simple syrup, Lemon peel
Explore more Simple syrup cocktails.