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
- Jakarta Mai Tai — Batavia Arrack, Rhum Agricole, Curaçao, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Salt, Lime peel, Curry leaf
- Curried Away — Rye, Batavia Arrack, Ginger liqueur, Bitters, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Mint
- Mount N' Rita — Whiskey, Bourbon liqueur, Lime juice, Simple syrup
- Mode Pour les Jeunes — Cognac, Bitters, Simple syrup, Cinnamon, Pear
- Koi Pond Punch — Japanese Whisky, Shochu, Umeshu, Simple syrup, Lemon juice, Mango juice
- Absinthe Frappe (Jamie Boudreau) — Absinthe, Dimmi, Crème de Menthe, Simple syrup, Mint
- London Calling (Chris Jepson) — Gin, Sherry, Orange bitters, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Grapefruit peel
- Lima Sour — Pisco, Maraschino Liqueur, PInk grapefruit juice, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Lemon peel
- Caribbean Coffee Crush — Añejo rum, Falernum, Fernet Branca, Simple syrup, Lime juice, Pineapple
Explore more Simple syrup cocktails.