As summer approaches, the need for refreshing cocktails and mocktails comes with it and if you have plans to mix up some delicious beverages, chances are good that you will need to have a great simple syrup on hand.
This simple syrup recipe incorporates the beautiful flavors and colors of fresh fruit that will help to infuse your drinks with something wonderful.
Let’s get started…
There many ways to flavor a simple syrup and when it comes to creating a fresh fruit simple syrup, your options are endless.
This recipe is very simple (pun definitely intended) and is the same whether you are using berries, melons, stone fruit, citrus, pears or apples.
In a small saucepan, combine equal parts fresh fruit (whole or juiced), granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over medium high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. As soon as the sugar has completely dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to break down the fruit into small pieces.
Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes and then strain it through a fine mesh strainer. I like to use the muddler to press as much of the liquid out of the fruit as possible.
Thats it! This simple syrup is so easy and can be used right away or chilled in an airtight container until you are ready for it. I like to make a full batch even if I only need an ounce or two, because I always find delicious ways to use it throughout the week.
If you are looking for suggestions, blackberries and raspberries work great in so many cocktails and grapefruit and clementines are delicious in lemonade. You can also use watermelons, peaches, cherries… whatever your favorite fruit is, make a simple syrup with it and celebrate the flavors of that fruit in a tasty drink. Sounds fun, right?
To add additional layers of flavor to your simple syrup, you can add a teaspoon of fresh citrus juice or extract to naturally sweet fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries or watermelon. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to fruits like raspberries, apples and pears. Use an extract that will compliment the fruits you are using and it can create a wonderful addition to the already fabulous simple syrup.
Fresh Fruit Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh fruit
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of fresh citrus juice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of fresh fruit with 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan and place over medium high heat
- Bring the mixture to a boil and mash the fruit
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes
- Stir in a teaspoon of fresh citrus juice or vanilla extract (optional)
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer
- Use immediately or chill in an airtight container until ready to use
