What is simple syrup?

Simple syrup - sometimes called “sugar syrup” - is the secret ingredient you never knew about, but is there, in countless delicious cocktails!

You’ll find simple syrup cropping up as often in cocktail recipes - particularly the classics - as often as butter, salt or olive oil do in your cooking recipes. Yes, whether you’re whipping up a Gin Fizz, a Bramble or a Tom Collins, you’ll need a little dash of this magic ingredient.

In other words, it’s an absolute cupboard essential for any enthusiastic home cocktail maker!

In it’s basic form, simple syrup is a flavourless, liquid form of sugar that’s used to sweeten drinks and food dishes. It is the preferred way to sweeten cocktails by bartenders and experts everywhere because it dissolves more quickly and easily into the cold cocktail mixture than solid sugar. In other words, you don’t risk getting any little grainy lumps of sugar, and you can create a smooth, evenly sweet cocktail in moments.

So, now you’ve got two options: make your own simple syrup, following our step-by-step guide below; or, save yourself the time and trouble, and guarantee yourself some speedy, convenient and tasty tipples with our Craft Gin Club Simple Syrup - head over to our online shop if the latter sounds more like your bag!

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Alternatively, if you’re feeling crafty, then read on for our simple instructions as to how to make your own sugar syrup at home.

If you are a regular cocktail-maker, or need enough for a big batch of cocktails (if you’re having a party, say), we recommend making a full jar of simple syrup - it will only take 10-15 minutes and leftover syrup will keep in the fridge for a few weeks.

How do you make simple syrup?

It’s very quick, easy and cheap to make simple syrup at home for use in your cocktails! You only need two ingredients and a pan.

Here’s how to make it:

Add equal parts sugar and water to a small saucepan over a low heat for about 10 minutes. Do not microwave!
Gently stir the mixture until it dissolves and forms a slightly runny syrup that’s about half the original volume.
If you do want a thicker syrup, simply simmer the mixture, stirring gently, until the liquid reduces to form the consistency you’re after.
Once your syrup is ready, let it cool before adding to your cocktail mixture.
Alternatively, if you’re making a large batch, strain it into a jar and seal the lid tightly. Pop it in the fridge - it will keep for about a month.

There are no hard and fast rules about the ratio of sugar to water in your simple syrup - if you want it sweeter, add more sugar!

How do you make flavoured simple syrup?

It couldn’t be easier to make a delicious flavoured simple syrup that will add a gorgeous dash of flavour - and, sometimes, colour - to your cocktails! Simply add a little of your chosen ingredient to the pan of water and sugar while it’s simmering, then strain the bits out before storing or using.

Here are a few of our favourite ingredients you can use to create a flavoured simple syrup:

Fruits: raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, pomegranate, orange
Spices: cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla
Herbs: rosemary, thyme, lemon thyme
Flowers: lavender, rose petals, hibiscus

What drinks can I make with simple syrup?

You can use your sugar syrup any way you want - about 15ml in a gin and tonic or gin and lemonade will add a gorgeous layer of flavour, colour and sweetness. Play around with the way you best like to use it!

Beyond that, many cocktail recipes suggest using a little simple syrup to add a balancing note of sweetness to the drink, as well as a hint of flavour or colour from any added ingredients.

Here are three easy and delicious gin cocktail recipes using simple syrup to get you started:

French 75 - This classic sparkling cocktail combines gin, champagne, lemon juice and simple syrup for an elegant drink with a hidden kick!
Rosemary & Thyme Collins - A beautiful sweet-citrus gin cocktail infused with very subtle notes of rosemary and thyme. It’s all the flavours of Provence in a glass!
Strawberry gin lemonade - For those that don’t like tonic, this sweet, easy cocktail makes a great alternative

What is simple syrup and how do you make it? How do you use it in cocktails?