Easy Simple Syrup Recipe UK

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Simple syrup, often referred to as sugar syrup, is a staple in both the kitchen and the bar. It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring just two basic ingredients: sugar and water. The versatile syrup is perfect for sweetening a variety of beverages, from cocktails and iced teas to coffee and lemonade, and this simple syrup recipe will show you exactly how to make it.

Let’s dive right in and find out more, shall we?

Table of Contents

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is best known as sugar syrup in the UK, and it’s a common ingredient found in cocktails, mocktails, cold drinks, and hot drinks from around the globe. It’s especially popular for adding that perfect touch of sweetness to Pimm’s and other classic drinks.

Watermelon Mint Mocktail requires sugar or simple syrup.

You can even create (or buy) flavoured syrups to give your mocktails and cocktails fun, interesting, and unique flavours. Hot Apple Pie Coffee, for example, uses Apple Pie Syrup.

The Monin range of drink syrups are great additions to your drinks cabinet or bar. They are commonly mixed in with hot coffees but also make the perfect flavouring and thickener for cocktails, mocktails, and other drinks.

How to Make Simple Syrup at Home UK

Whether you’re preparing for a party or just want to keep a bottle on hand, learning how to make simple syrup is a handy skill for any home cook or mixologist. This homemade version is not only economical but also free from preservatives and additives, making it a healthier alternative to store-bought syrups.

Simple Syrup Ingredients

The ingredients listed here will provide approximately 350ml to 370ml of simple syrup (sugar syrup.)

For context, that will usually be enough to make two drinks, combined with other ingredients. Some of those syrup-infused drinks, in case you were wondering, include:

You will need the following ingredients to make 350ml to 370ml simple syrup at home:

Caster Sugar – 200g
Cold water – 200ml

You can make a bigger or smaller batch, of course; you’ll just need to remember the ratio of one part water to one part caster sugar – equal amounts.

If you don’t have caster sugar (also known as confectioners or powdered sugar in the US,) you can use granulated sugar. This is the stuff you’ll make your tea and coffee with.

You will need slightly more granulated than caster sugar – use 240g of granulated sugar in place of 200g of caster sugar.

Simple Syrup Equipment

You will need the following items to follow this easy simple syrup recipe:

Measuring tools
Jug

Saucepan
Wooden spoon
Jar or bottle for extra syrup storage

How to Make Simple Syrup Recipe: Step-by-Step

Simple syrup is a great addition to cocktails because of its ability to spread the sweetness of the sugar throughout the drink with ease – and definitely much easier than trying to dissolve a lot of sugar in a cold beverage, alcoholic or otherwise.

Let’s break the recipe down .

Step One: Get the Ingredients Ready

I always recommend measuring out all the ingredients you’ll need before you start mixing or blending this easy simple syrup recipe. Once they’re ready, in cups or bowls, on the countertop, you won’t have to faff around getting them ready later on.

Step Two: Saucepan Stuff

Grab your saucepan. Add the caster sugar first, and the water second.

Give it a stir with your wooden spoon, just to make sure everything is all nicely mixed and blended together.

Step Three: Warm It Up

You should warm the not-yet-syrup mixture on a medium-high heat, watching it and giving it a stir every now and then if necessary.

Don’t walk away. The mixture will turn into a hard mess before you know it. Trust me.

Step Four: Cooling Time

When the syrup is… well, syrupy, take it off the heat, then turn the heat off. That part is done. You don’t need it any longer.

You should leave the syrup to cool in the saucepan before you attempt to move it or pour it anywhere. It’ll be like molten lava.

Homemade Simple Syrup: Storage Instructions

Don’t throw any leftover simple syrup away; store it properly and it’ll last for up to three weeks.

I recommend checking it after two weeks. If the syrup shows no sign of deterioration, such as separation, mould, etc., it is safe to consume.

I probably wouldn’t keep or use the syrup for much longer than three weeks, though.

The container needs to be completely airtight. Unless you block out any oxygen, the syrup will start to spoil. You can use upcycled bottles, jam jars, etc. Just make sure that you have properly cleaned them.

Another way to store your homemade simple syrup is to freeze it. Pour it into ice cube trays or bags, let the syrup freeze, then pop them into drinks whenever you need ice and/or a shot of syrup. Smart, right? I thought so!

Where to Buy Simple Syrup in the UK

So, if you’d rather buy the sugar or simple syrup rather than making it yourself with this easy simple syrup recipe, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Asda, for example, offer Cane Sugar Syrup, which is literally a mixture of water and cane sugar, and is suitable for vegetarians (but not vegans.)

If you prefer to shop at Tesco, I recommend checking out Flavorz Simple Cocktail Syrup.

Head on over to Ocado and you’ll find Funkin Sugar Cane Syrup and Giffard Gomme Sugar Syrup.

Amazon, as usual, has pretty much every flavour and type of sugar or simple syrup that you could possibly think of. These are some of the highest rated, most purchased simple syrups:

Halal, Vegan & Kosher 1883 Maison Routin Premium Gomme & Cane Sugar Syrup

If you want to look at all sugar/simple syrups for drinks on Amazon, you’ll find them right here.