Making your own infused simple syrup is fun and easy. You can get creative with a variety of herbs or botanicals. How thick you want your syrup to be determines your water to sugar ratio. The standard ratio for sugar to water is 1:1 but you can always add more water to thin out your recipe. Granulated white sugar is the quickest to dissolve, but don’t be afraid to try darker sugars that offer more complexity and nice amber hues, like brown sugar, demerara sugar, turbinado sugar, or coconut sugar.
To make flavored simple syrup, bring water to a boil in a pot and then add the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. As soon as the sugar has dissolved completely, add in the herbs or botanicals. The more you add the more potent the syrup will be. Usually about 1/2 cup for each 1 cup of water is a good measure. (Feel free to vary these amounts when trying new things from the garden.) Remove the syrup from the heat and cover. Allow it to cool and then strain out the herbs or botanicals and start playing with the flavors in your favorite drinks!
Here are a few of our favorite flavors to try:
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Fennel
- Rosemary
- Lemon verbena
- Thyme
- Vanilla beans
- Lemon grass
- Cinnamon sticks
- Rose petals
- Cloves
- Chamomile
- Cardamom
- Lavender
- Nutmeg
- Tarragon
- Ginger
Ready to try at home? Check out these ideas to get started!
I often substitute maple syrup for sugar when making simple syrup. The maple syrup adds a nice flavor to the simple syrup.