Syrup Recipes

What is Syrup?

While not a dessert in and of itself, syrup is a delicious accompaniment to many sweet treats. From classic chocolate syrup over vanilla ice cream to exotic fruit blends combined into refreshing drinks, chilly ices, or elegant desserts, syrup is a versatile accessory to many dishes.

The basic version is simply a thick mixture of sugar, water, and flavoring. The term “simple syrup” refers to the sugar and water base, without flavoring – many cooks prefer to make larger quantities of simple syrup that can be divided into many different flavors for different dishes. It can be used in a variety of ways, including:

• Flavoring lemonades, fruit juices, and tropical drinks with or without alcohol
• As a unique sundae or ice cream topping
• As a sweet alternative to heavy cake frostings and icing
• Garnishing plates for cake, fruit salad, or gourmet dishes
• To freeze or poach fruit with complimentary flavors
• Creating snow cones or other ice treats

Syrup Tips

Because the key step in making syrup involves boiling sugar, great care must be taken to prevent scorching – stir the mixture continuously. Do not skimp on heating time or temperature, since the sugar may not dissolve completely if adjustments are made. Some recipes call for using karo or corn syrup instead of granulated sugar because it is already a liquid sweetener; be sure to use appropriate proportions and treat the mixture just as carefully. Hot sugar mixtures can splatter and cause serious burns, so do not let children participate in making the syrup. For a more fluid mixture, add additional water, or reduce the water proportion for dense syrup to use as a topping or icing. Finally, don’t be timid about experimenting with new flavors and alternative combinations to create your own signature blend.