Simple Syrup For Cocktails

Simple syrup, also known as 'sugar syrup', is a basic bartending ingredient used in many cocktails and mixed drinks behind the bar. It consists of just two ingredients, sugar and water, and is easily made from the comfort of your own kitchen.

So, let's get into it and teach you how to make a great homemade simple syrup for cocktails...
 

Easy homemade simple syrup recipe

Making simple syrup has never been so simple (the clue's in the name). Simply take two ingredients and a three step method to get a rich simple syrup!

This recipe should yield around 350ml of simple syrup. However, this could be a little less or more depending on the evaporation during cooking.
 

Ingredients

• 200g granulated white sugar
• 200ml water
   

Method

• Step 1 - Over a medium heat, add the granulated sugar and water to a pan.
   
• Step 2 - Dissolve the sugar and water by constantly stirring the mixture.
   
• Step 3 - Once all the sugar has dissolved, leave to cool completely and pour into a sterilised bottle or glass jar for future use.
   

NOTE: To make an alternative simple syrup recipe, you can substitute the white sugar for brown sugar or demerara sugar. This will give the simple syrup a very intense flavour and colour. To make this, just follow this same recipe and swap out the sugar for either brown or demerara. Easy!

 

How to use simple syrup for cocktails

Using simple syrup for drink recipes is so easy, you almost don't have to think.

The sugar dissolves into the warm water and you get a sweet syrup, as a result. Muddling or adding normal sugar into a cocktail will often leave you with granulated sugar floating around at the bottom of the glass - thus ruining a perfectly good cocktail. Which is why syrup is so useful for bartenders! 

Instead, as the sugar is dissolved (thanks to the high temperature), you'll be able to make a well-balanced, delicious drink without the crunchy surprise.

To use simple syrup, simply add the syrup measure into the cocktail and stir in well. Using a bar spoon would be best practice to ensure everything is well incorporated. When you're done stirring, you're ready to serve up!

 

Simple syrup FAQs

What are the best cocktail recipes with sugar syrup?

Some of the best cocktails to make with simple syrup are the Daiquiri, Tom Collins, Long Island Iced Tea, Whiskey Sour and Margarita. If you're practicing a bit of mixology, add a little syrup to homemade cocktails to take the edge off a sour cocktail.
 

How much simple syrup does 1 cup of sugar make?

Using 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water, you can make around 350ml of simple syrup. This is the exact recipe we have provided above.
 

How long does simple syrup last for?

With our recipe, the simple will stay good for up to a month before becoming cloudy and unusable.
 

Can you make flavoured simple syrup?

Yes! You can make flavoured syrup but you must always follow a recipe when doing so to avoid any syrup disasters. Some popular flavoured syrups include honey syrup, cinnamon syrup, vanilla syrup and fruit syrups.

If you're looking for some alternative flavoured syrup recipes, check out our homemade falernum and Oleo Saccharum recipe. These are two sweet, tangy syrups, used to spice up fruity, tropical cocktails!
 

Feeling inspired to start using syrups behind the bar? With our well-respected professional bartending course you can do just that! Start your new beginning with us today...