1cupsugarcan sub for an equal amount of: coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave
1cupwater
optional flavor add ins: 3 sprigs of rosemary1 1/2 tablespoons of dried lavender, 1 1/2 cups of fresh raspberries, 1 vanilla bean (can sub for 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract), 1 cup of loosely packed mint leaves.
Instructions
Plain Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then pour into an air tight container for storage.
Rosemary Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and rosemary sprigs and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly, remove the rosemary, and then pour into an air tight container for storage.
Lavender Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lavender and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the lavender. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Raspberry Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and fresh raspberries and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and gently mashing the berries a bit, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the raspberries. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Vanilla Simple Syrup:
First cut open your vanilla bean, scrape out the paste from inside and place both the paste and the bean in a small saucepan. Stir in the water and sugar and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then spour into an air tight container for storage. You can store it with or without the vanilla bean.
Mint Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and mint leaves and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the mint leaves. Pour into an air tight container for storage.
Notes
See notes above about storing the syrup and how long it will last.