Simple syrup as an ingredient comes up in a lot of cocktail recipes. It’s used in Daiquiris, Palomas and Mojitos, or even as a substitute for sugar cubes in an Old Fashioned. It is a very versatile ingredient, acting as an easy-to-use sweetener that doesn’t alter the flavors of a drink in any significant way. It’s essentially pre-disolved sugar, which means it also has the added benefit of mixing well even in cold drinks.

The best part? Simple syrup is so simple to make, it’s practically as easy as boiling water. You can also use it to sweeten your iced coffees and other non-alcoholic beverages. Here’s how you can make your own simple syrup at home.

Ingredients (you basically want equal parts water and sugar, so feel free to adjust accordingly)

• 120ml sugar
• 120ml water

Directions

1. Add sugar and water into a small pot and heat over stove
2. Stir mixture over heat until all the sugar is dissolved
3. Let it simmer for about 5mins to thicken, but do not let it boil
4. Turn heat off and let the mixture cool to room temperature
5. Transfer syrup into jar or bottle, using a funnel if needed
6. Store container of syrup in the refrigerator (lasts up to a month or more)

Simple syrup variations

Once you’ve learned how to make the classic simple syrup, feel free to experiment and create any syrup you want. A popular variant is the rich simple syrup, that calls for 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. Or try making a brown simple, that’s essentially the brown sugar version of the simple syrup.

We’ve tried making syrups using wildflower honey too, which imparts a nice floral note to the mix. Other common additions include using fruits, herbs and spices to alter the flavor profile even more. This is also a great way to add a level of complexity to your cocktail recipes, yet keeping things homemade.