Measuring cups and spoons or digital kitchen scale
500 ml Mason jar with tight-fitting lid
Ingredients
¾cupgranulated sugarfor rich simple syrup use 1 cup (200 g) sugar
¾cupwater for rich simple syrup use ½ cup (125 ml) water
Instructions
Measure the sugar into a clean Mason jar. Add the water and stir well. Place the jar in the microwave and heat in 30-second increments until the liquid is clear and the sugar is completely dissolved. Rich simple syrup takes a little bit longer to turn clear than basic simple syrup.
Notes
You can use basic simple syrup to sweeten cold cocktails and mocktails or hot drinks like hot chocolate. It's also great for sweetening homemade lemonade or iced tea. To keep cake layers moist, try brushing the tops with simple syrup before layers icing.
Rich simple syrup is excellent for sweetening coffee-based drinks like vanilla lattes or London Fogs. It can also enhance cocktails like Old Fashioneds, sours, or daiquiris. Another way to use it is as a base for homemade sorbet or granita.
If you like lavender, try this lavender sugar in place of granulated white sugar for a rich botanical syrup that's lovely in lemonade.
Storage
Store your cooled syrups in clean, airtight jars or bottles in the refrigerator. Basic simple syrup can last up to a month, while the rich version has a longer shelf life of about two months. Always check for any signs of spoilage or crystallization before using.