Handcrafted Cocktails: How to Make Simple Syrup

The key to crafting exceptional cocktails lies in the details. One such detail that can elevate your mixology game is simple syrup. This basic yet essential ingredient can make a world of difference in your drinks, adding a touch of sweetness that balances and enhances the flavours of your favourite libations.

It’s also easier than you may think. We'll show you how to make your own simple syrup at home in no time.

What Is Simple Syrup?

Like the name suggests, simple syrup really is quite simple. It’s a combination of sugar and water, usually in equal parts, heated until the sugar dissolves. The result is a clear and sweet liquid that easily blends into your drinks, providing a consistent and controlled level of sweetness.

Simple Syrup Recipe

1. Combine Sugar and Water: Begin by measuring equal parts of granulated sugar and water. So for example, to make 250 ml of simple syrup, you would need 125 ml of sugar and 125 ml of water. Pour the sugar and water into a saucepan.

2. Heat Gently: Use medium heat to start dissolving the sugar. Stir occasionally to ensure the sugar is fully dissolved. Heat the mixture gently, avoiding rapid boiling, as that can lead to a thicker, more concentrated syrup.

3. Cool and Store: Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool. After it reaches room temperature, transfer the syrup to a clean bottle or container for easy access when crafting your cocktails. You can store your syrup for up to a month in the refrigerator.

Why Make Your Own Simple Syrup?

There are many benefits to making your own simple syrup and using it in your cocktail creations. The ultimate benefit of using simple syrup in drink recipes (as opposed to adding granulated sugar) is that it ensures a mix that’s easy to blend. And making your own simple syrup has its advantages over buying some in the store:

• Customized Sweetness: By making your own simple syrup, you can control the level of sweetness in your cocktails, ensuring they are perfectly balanced for your palate.
• Freshness: Homemade syrup is fresher and often has a more vibrant flavour than store-bought alternatives.
• Cost-Effective: It's an economical choice that can save you money versus store-bought.
• Endless Creativity: Experiment with different sugars, as we’ll talk about below, to add unique flavour profiles to your cocktails.

What Is the Best Sugar for Simple Syrup?

If you want to make a standard simple syrup, you’ll want to use granulated white sugar. For example, the classic cocktail of a Lemon Drop uses granulated sugar in its traditional simple syrup. But that’s not your only option, as we’ll dive into.

What Other Types of Sugar Can You Use for Simple Syrup?

Granulated sugar isn’t your only option. You can try experimenting with other sweeteners for different flavour profiles. For example, you can use raw or brown sugars like demerara or turbinado, which add a richer, caramel-like flavour to the syrup.

You can also use honey or agave nectar to incorporate a less refined sweetener while adding a unique flavour. The Watermelon & Basil Southside balances its fresh lemon juice with a 1:1 honey syrup. The tropical, bubbly Countdown uses light agave syrup.
And some more adventurous recipes even incorporate other ingredients like herbs or tea leaves, as in the Straw-Be-Pea.

What’s the Simple Syrup Formula?

The standard ratio of simple syrup is 1:1, which means equal parts water and sugar. But you can experiment with other ratios, depending on your sweetness preferences.

• 1:1 Simple Syrup (Standard Simple Syrup): Equal parts sugar and water. It's a versatile syrup used in a wide range of cocktails.
• 2:1 Simple Syrup (Rich Simple Syrup): Two parts sugar to one part water. This syrup is thicker and sweeter, often used in cocktails where you want a richer sweetness without diluting the drink too much.
• 3:1 Simple Syrup: Three parts sugar to one part water. This syrup is even thicker and sweeter, so it’s not often used. If you love sweet drinks, though, this might be for you.

Creating your own simple syrup is a small but impactful step toward becoming a master mixologist. Adding this essential ingredient to your repertoire really sweetens your skillset.