Its easy to be dazzled by the sleight of hand of a good bartender and the low lighting in a bar. A few dashes of this, a stir of that, and like magic, a trendy cocktail appears before you. Making cocktails is definitely a bit of an art, and bartenders regularly memorize hundreds of different recipes and techniques. But most of the classics arent very complicated to make at home.
In fact, a lot of drinks are made with similar measurements, known as the cocktail recipe “golden ratio”: two parts liquor, one part sweetener, and one part sour. For example, a classic daiquiri is made with just three ingredients: two parts good-quality white rum, one part fresh lime juice, and one part sweetener — typically simple syrup.
When youre setting up your home bar, youll need to buy a few extras in addition to the spirits: tonic and club soda, as well as bitters and grenadine. Dont waste your money on a bottle of simple syrup, however. Just as the name implies, simple syrup is easy to make at home out of just plain white sugar and hot water. You can use it plain just as a sweetener or make a big batch and make some flavored varieties for experimenting. Simple syrup has a long shelf life — just be sure to store it properly.
Once it’s opened, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. Homemade simple syrup: A hot-processed simple syrup of just sugar and water should last up to 1 month if stored properly. Infused simple syrup: By adding herbs, spices, or fruit you’ve greatly reduced the shelf life of your simple syrup.
How to store simple syrup
Simple syrup is easy to make. But you probably dont want to mix up a batch every time you want to make a drink, so go ahead and make a big batch. Just be sure to store it either in the fridge or the freezer to prevent it from growing mold.
In the fridge, your sugary solution can last for up to a month in an airtight container if its not mixed with any perishable flavors, such as fruit and fresh herbs. It will be good for at least two weeks if its made with juice. Use a quart-sized glass Mason jar with a proper lid; a bottle with a swing-top closure works well, too. Even a decent Tupperware-style container will do.
If you make a lot of cocktails or have a party coming up, you can also freeze a batch and pull it out when your fridge supply is getting low. Simple syrup, either plain or flavored, is good in the freezer for up to three months. If you decide to freeze your syrup, its better to use plastic for storing instead of glass so that the container doesnt crack. Pull your container out of the freezer 24 hours before you need it and leave in the refrigerator to thaw, or immerse the container in cool water in the sink with running water — it should thaw pretty quickly.
How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?
FAQ
How do you know if simple syrup has gone bad?
Can bacteria grow in simple syrup?
How long does 2 1 simple syrup last in the fridge?
How do you store leftover simple syrup?
Does simple syrup go bad?
Because sugar acts as a preservative, simple syrup made with more sugar will last longer. The addition of vodka is said to increase the shelf life of simple syrup because vodka has a high alcohol content and typically doesn’t go bad. Can You Freeze Simple Syrup?
Does yogurt go bad if kept in the refrigerator?
Yoghurt should be kept in the fridge as it is a dairy product that tends to deteriorate more quickly when not refrigerated. In the freezer, yoghurt will last up to a month without losing its flavour. Place it in an airtight container to prevent frostbite.
Should simple syrup be refrigerated?
Its water content makes it a breeding ground for all kinds of undesirables, so it’s a must to keep it refrigerated. Note that rich simple syrup, which contains twice as much sugar, will last for longer. It still should be refrigerated, but you’ll notice that its shelf life is much greater than basic 1:1 simple syrup.
How long does simple syrup last in the fridge?
In general, a basic syrup with 1 part sugar and 1 part water will last around 2 weeks in the fridge. Rich simple syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) stored in the fridge will last longer, usually for a month or even longer.