Keeping it Simple {Recipes: Simple Syrup and Strawberry Simple Syrup}

Simple syrups are great to have on hand for lemonade, iced tea, mixed drinks, and more! They are so easy to make and fun to experiment with. Below are the recipes for basic Simple Syrup and Strawberry Simple Syrup, but other flavors can be made with with the basic syrup. 

Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1. Combine water and sugar into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. 

2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all of the sugar is dissolved. 

3. Remove syrup from heat and cool completely. 

4. Store syrup in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Syrup can be frozen if need to store longer. 

Strawberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 cups strawberries with stems removed and cut into quarters

1. Combine water, sugar, and strawberries into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. 

2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are faded, the syrup is a nice ruby red color, and sugar is completely dissolved.

3. Remove syrup from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer. Resist the urge to press the strawberries into the strainer, doing so will result in a cloudy syrup. Discard strawberries or save to stir into plain yogurt or cottage cheese. 

4. Store syrup in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Syrup can be frozen if need to store longer. 

Suggestions for other simple syrup flavors:

1. Blackberry, raspberries, or blueberries can be substituted for strawberries.

2. Vanilla bean, split lengthwise, can be added to Simple Syrup after pulling from heat. Let the vanilla bean steep for a few hours, then strain. 

3. Herbs, such as rosemary or tarragon, can be steeped in Simple Syrup, then strained, to add an interesting flavor to drinks. 

Enjoy!