In this hands-on guide, we explain how to make homemade simple syrup for drinks in a microwave and stovetop, plus tips for preserving and storing your simple syrup.
While I’ll be the last person to judge someone’s drink preferences, I have to admit that I cringe when I see folks dump a packet of sugar into their iced coffee. Third-grade science taught us that sugar granules, being solids, would take forever to dissolve in cold liquid, remember? So, no matter how vigorously you swirl or stir, those granules would just settle at the bottom, leaving your coffee disappointingly gritty. But worry no more! The solution is simple: syrup.
Practically, it’s just sugar dissolved in water, yet it plays a crucial role in putting together countless drink recipes, from iced coffees to modern mocktails to classic cocktails of all types. For all the ways you can use simple syrup, check out our What is Simple Syrup in Drinks article – otherwise, let’s jump straight into making it.
How to Make Homemade Simple Syrup
Simple syrup (aka sugar syrup) is the ultimate sweetener, simply made by mixing sugar with water. That’s it; there’s no rocket science involved. It effortlessly spreads sweetness throughout any drink (hot or cold), making it a must-have in your beverage arsenal.
How to Make Homemade Simple Syrup on a Stovetop
Making your own simple syrup at home is a breeze. With just two basic ingredients and a saucepan, you’re all set to dive into DIY mixology. It’s quick, easy, and best of all, it won’t break the bank!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Supplies:
- Saucepan and spoon for stirring
- Jars for storing (optional)
How to make homemade simple syrup on a stove:
Most people tend to go the stove route when making simple syrup, using the hot method. Here’s how:
1… Place water and sugar in a saucepan
Grab a small saucepan and toss in equal parts water and sugar. Remember to keep the heat low and let it stew for about 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: Don’t even think about microwaving it!
2… Stir until sugar has dissolved
Give your mixture a gentle stir until the sugar completely dissolves and you are left with syrup that’s slightly runny and about half of what you started with.
If you want your syrup to be on the thicker side, just keep simmering and stirring until it reaches the consistency you desire.
3… Cool the syrup
Once it’s done, let it cool down before adding it to your cocktail concoction.
Or, if you are making a big batch, strain your syrup into a jar, seal it up tight, and pop it in the fridge. It will stay good for around a month.
FAQ: How long to boil simple syrup?
The trick with making simple syrup is to bring it to a gentle boil and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Just give it a stir every now and then. If it starts bubbling like crazy, simply dial down the heat to keep it in check.
How to Make Simple Syrup in Microwave
Once I tried out this microwave simple syrup recipe, I was immediately hooked! It was so quick and easy, perfect for sweetening iced coffee or any cold beverage.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Supplies:
- Microwave-safe container
How to make simple syrup in microwave:
- Mix together equal parts of sugar and water, in your microwave safe container.
- Pop it in the microwave for about 3 minutes. When that time’s up, take it out, give it a good stir, and check its clarity.
- If it’s still a bit cloudy, no worries! Just throw it back in the microwave and repeat this step until it’s nice and clear.
Once it’s done, let it cool down, and then stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
How to Store & Preserve Simple Syrup
The most popular way to store simple syrup is by keeping it in the fridge. Pour it into a container with a tight-sealing lid to keep it fresh. When refrigerated, homemade simple syrup can stay good for around a month, while rich syrup lasts even longer, staying good for up to about three months.
Whether you choose a glass or plastic container, just make sure it’s clean and sterile. This helps maximize the shelf life of your homemade syrup and keeps it at its best for as long as possible.
Editor’s Note (Ayla Marika): Remember that sugar is a natural preservative, therefore syrup with a higher ratio of sugar to water, such as 2:1, will have a longer shelf life than syrup with a lower sugar to water ratio (eg 1:1). I personally make non alcoholic cordial all the time which is basically a flavored rich syrup (2:1), which I transfer into sterilised glass bottles and store at room temperature for months with no problems whatsoever, except a little crystallisation.
How to Store Simple Syrup FAQs
Does homemade simple syrup need to be refrigerated?
Keeping your homemade simple syrup in the fridge not only makes it last longer but also slows down the growth of bacteria. Sure, you can leave it out at room temperature, but it won’t last as long. If you’re planning to use it within a couple of days, room temp is okay. But if you want it to stick around for a while, I’d say pop it in the fridge or even the freezer for safekeeping.
How long does simple syrup last in the fridge?
Simple syrup typically lasts for a good 3-4 weeks if you stash it in the fridge. If it starts looking cloudy and smelling funky, or if you spot mold, it’s probably time to throw it out and whip up a fresh batch.
How long does simple syrup last unrefrigerated?
If you’re leaving your simple syrup out at room temperature, aim to use it up within the week. It’s prone to getting all crystallized if you let it sit too long. However, if you made your syrup with a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio, it will hold up longer at room temp compared to syrup made from a 1:1 ratio.
How to tell if simple syrup is bad?
The most effective way to check the quality of your simple syrup is to give it a sniff or a tiny taste. If it smells good and tastes just as good, you’re in the clear. But if it smells strange, chances are it has gone bad. Bad simple syrup can have all sorts of weird flavors like cardboard, sour, salty, or even Tootsie Roll. So, if it’s anything other than sweet simple syrup, it’s probably not good anymore.
Final Tips on How to Make Homemade Simple Syrup
There you have, with very little time and basic ingredients you almost certainly have at home (sugar, water), you too can easily learn and master how to make homemade simple syrup.
For more tips on using your simple syrup to flavor drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, head over to our article How is Simple Syrup Used in Drinks?
Once you’ve got the basic process for making simple syrup down, then it’s time to experiment! To learn how to flavor and infuse your simple syrup with fruits, spices and herbs, check out our article on How to Make Infused Simple Syrup.
