The Sweetener You Should Never Buy At The Grocery Store

More reasons to make your own simple syrup

When making your own simple syrup, it's easy to enhance the mixture with a few drops of extracts (such as vanilla, almond, or orange) or by adding herbs like basil and spices like ginger. You can even substitute some or all of the water with fruit juice to create a syrup bursting with natural flavors. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of sugar; using brown sugar or honey instead of white granulated sugar can add richness and complexity to your syrup.

Once you've crafted this sweet mixture, it becomes a versatile ingredient for everyday use. It's perfect for sweetening your coffee or tea—especially iced beverages—eliminating the concern of gritty, undissolved sugar settling at the bottom of your cup. You can also incorporate it into baking to add moisture and flavor, such as using simple syrup to keep muffins from drying out or drizzling it over a poke cake.

In cocktails, simple syrup provides body and balances out the bitterness of stronger drinks, from a Paloma to a margarita. A sweet lavender old fashioned takes this concept further by introducing a delightful floral note to the traditional whiskey cocktail. With its wide range of uses, this sugar-based syrup not only enhances your culinary creations but also serves as a simple DIY project that can save you some money.