Comments on: Simple Syrup

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:01:37 +0000

Re sugar, preserving, and storage:

I think this is a case of both Jeff and Zeph being “right”:

Here’s the deal: if you put sugar in boiling water and let it go for a while, you –will– sterilize it. If you put it in a –sterilized– (not just clean, but kill the little critters) bottle, there won’t be any little critters in there and it should last for quite some time.

You might introduce a few microbes by opening and pouring, but I think the kicker is putting it into a sterilized bottle. Jams and jellies definitely go into sterilized containers. Either use a glass container and boil it or, perhaps, use some homebrew sanitizers.

Best,
Mark

By: Jazzy

Jazzy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:54:01 +0000

Thank you for this, I plan on utilizing it the next time I get into a bind.

By: neyshan

neyshan — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:20:43 +0000

Hi Matt,
Its also known as white sugar. You can get it just about anywhere.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:51:10 +0000

Hello. What exactly is granulated cane sugar? Is it widely available?

Cheers.

By: Pat Teel

Pat Teel — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:57:23 +0000

Hey Jeff… I was referring to the R. Gimlet, not simple syrup. Guess I don’t know my way around your site yet. Good luck in Ptown. I’m in the process of moving up here as well.

By: eric in mpls

eric in mpls — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:21:58 +0000

can other types of sugars be used as a substitute, ie. unrefined cane sugar, or maybe other non-fructose type sugars? thanks!

By: Coby

Coby — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:14:44 +0000

Here’s an idea for those worried about storing their simple syrup. Mix 1 part syrup to 3 parts water and use it to re-fill your hummingbird feeder. Way cheaper than store bought but the birds don’t seem to mind. Obviously if you used vodka as a preservative, this isn’t for you. Great site, every recipe I’ve tried is a keeper!

By: Anj

Anj — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:36:14 +0000

I really love my mojitos with a super-spearmint kick, and sometimes I have trouble finding really potent leaves at the stores around here in the winter. So when I make my batch of simple syrup for winter mojitos (I know, I’m weird.) I throw in a few sprigs of spearmint after I turn off the heat and let it cool. After cooling, I strain it and follow the recipe as usual. Yum!

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:46:05 +0000

Zeph – Yeah, you’re wrong on this one. Whip up a batch and leave it in your fridge until you see black spots on the surface and you’ll see what I mean.

Pa C – No, use lemon to flavor your drinks, not your simple. If you’re hell-bent on making a flavored simple syrup, use herbs, roots, spices, things like that. Think vanilla bean, think lavender, think cinnamon.

By: Pa C

Pa C — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:42:52 +0000

The info for storage for simple super was very helpful. What’s your opinion on flavoring it? perhaps with lemon?

By: zeph

zeph — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:08:18 +0000

Actually, simple syrup seems likely to last indefinitely in the fridge. Concentrated sugars will kill most “bugs”. Jams and jellies were invented as ways to preserve fruit in sugar.

By: kaby

kaby — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:12:34 +0000

thanks – i love your advice -and can’t wait to start mixing drinks – especially the Mojito – kaby

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:53:08 +0000

Hunter

I’m not exactly sure how long simple syrup will stick around, it doesn’t last long at my work. At home, I make very small batches that I know will be gone in less than a week.

My guess would be that you won’t want to keep it around for much longer than a week.

Jeffrey

By: Hunter

Hunter — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:52:44 +0000

Jeff,

I’m going to make non-alcoholic versions of drinks and stumbled upon your simple syrup recipe above. You mention storage in the fridge of the simple syrup but not how long you can store a batch. I don’t plan on making gallons of it obviously but curious as to a rule of thumb…

By: Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:56:44 +0000

Keep your simple syrup in the fridge, Heather.

If you’re not planning on using it for non-alcoholic drinks intended for children, you can add a tiny splash of vodka to keep it from spoiling.

By: Heather m

Heather m — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:26:41 +0000

What’s the best way to store simple syrup?

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:50:29 +0000

Gee, Pat, thanks! I’ve never seen someone get so enthusiastic over simple syrup, but your excitement is certainly a boost for the old ego.

By: Pat Teel

Pat Teel — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:55:21 +0000

omg… These are the bomb!