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
- Blind Date at Chelsea — Cognac VSOP, Sloe gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemon peel
- 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
- Caesarea Cocktail — Gin, Aperol, Simple syrup, Basil, Cucumber, Lemon
- My Dear Quarantine — Gin, Pear liqueur, Soda water, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Simple syrup, Lemon peel, Cardamom
- Veracruz — Tequila, Dry white wine, Lime juice, Aloe vera liqueur, Simple syrup, Hellfire Habanero Shrub, Cucumber
- Black Bowtie Gimlet — Gin, Bitters, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Squid ink, Salt Solution
- Ume Klug — Gin, Junmai Sake, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Plum
- No Bananas Today — Jamaican rum, Demerara Rum, Crème de Banane, Bitters, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Banana
Explore more Simple syrup cocktails.