Today we’ll talk about how to make flavored simple syrups. In my case I wanted to get the flavors of Sage into my simple syrup so that I could use it in a number of Sage cocktails without having to muddle and flavor the drink individually every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup water (plus a little extra due to evaporation)
- 1 small pot
- 3 sprigs of sage or your choice of herbs to infuse
- Clean storage container with airtight seal
-Start my mixing equal parts sugar and water over medium-high heat, stirring continuously. Make sure all your sugar is dissolved and add more water as needed if it does not dissolve relatively quickly.
-Add the leaves from 3 sprigs of sage, and stir into your mixture. Let the mixture continue to heat to a boil.
-Boil the mixture for a minute, then remove from heat and steep. For a light sage taste, only steep for a few minutes. For a very strong taste you can steep for as long as an hour.
-Strain the mixture into a clean storage container. Using a clean container is very important since simple syrup is primarily sugar and will serve as a great breeding ground for mold and bacteria if put into a dirty container. Make sure the seal on the container is airtight for the same reason. I’ve had good luck using glass canning jars, since they seal well.
Now you are all set to start using your sage syrup for all of your favorite cocktails. I usually transfer the syrup out of the canning jar and into a more easily dispensable container (like the bottle pictured) before I make drinks en bulk.