Simple syrup is such a wonderfully versatile ingredient, which can be used to sweeten beverages and cocktails.  It can be flavored with herbs, spices, fruit, even hot peppers.  Once you know how to make it, the sky is the limit when creating unique drinks.  Here are just a few ideas for you to try.

 

Basic Simple Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring often.  Once the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low.  Simmer for five minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove the syrup from heat and cool completely.  Use immediately or keep refrigerated for up to a month.

 

Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup water

Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring often.  Once the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat to medium low.  Simmer for five minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove the syrup from heat and cool completely.  Use immediately or keep refrigerated for up to a month.

 

Mint Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

1/3 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add fresh mint leaves to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the mint to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Lavender Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

1 tsp dried lavender blossoms

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add the dried lavender blossoms to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the lavender to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Thyme Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

4 sprigs fresh thyme

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add fresh thyme sprigs to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the thyme to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Rosemary Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add fresh rosemary sprigs to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the rosemary to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Basil Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add fresh basil leaves to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the basil to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Jalapeño Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

1 jalapeño, thinly sliced

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add the jalapeño to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the jalapeño to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Lemon Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup

Zest of 1 lemon, peeled in 1-inch strips

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add  lemon zest to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the zest to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Orange-Clove Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup or Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Zest of 1 Orange, peeled in 1-inch strips

1/2 tsp cloves

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add  orange zest and cloves to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the zest and spices to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

 

Cinnamon Simple Syrup

1 recipe Basic Simple Syrup or Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

2 cinnamon sticks

Following the recipe for Basic Simple Syrup, add  cinnamon sticks to the syrup after removing it from heat.  Allow the cinnamon to steep in the syrup until the mixture has cooled.  Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.