Sweet transfer

By Joan Njeri

Simple syrup is a key ingredient in cocktail preparation, for sweetening. Also known as sugar syrup, it is a liquid version of sugar that will mix easily into drinks compared to using sugar itself, which requires more effort to dissolve in cold drinks.

One can purchase simple syrup, but it may be a better idea to make it at home. It is easy to prepare, and you can make a batch to last for some time, especially because it’s not just good for cocktails. You can use simple syrup to moisten cakes, sweeten fruit salads or even in marinades that call for a little saccharine twist. You can also add it to sparkling water for a homemade soda of the flavour of your choice.

Preparation

 -In a pot, mix equal parts of granulated sugar and water and bring to a boil as you stir to dissolve the sugar.

-Turn off the heat and let cool then transfer to an airtight jar or bottle and refrigerate. The syrup can stay for a month.

Other types

There are also a few other types, where granulated sugar is not the source of sweetness, such as cane and honey syrups.

Cane syrup

Giving you a more natural take, the most commonly used cane syrup is made from crystallised cane sugar, but using cane juice will give you a more authentic syrup that will add depth and a natural grassy finish to your drink. Nowadays, there are many outlets that sell fresh pressed cane juice such as the Carrefour juice zone. To prepare it, boil the cane juice in an open saucepan to reduce moisture, let cool and store in a sealed container in the fridge.

Honey syrup

Honey syrup is ideal for drinks made with dark spirits and adds an earthy aroma to a cocktail. To make it, combine three parts honey to two parts water and bring to a boil, cool then store in a closed jar in the refrigerator.

Flavoured versions

Syrups can be infused with an array of spices, herbs, fruits and floral extracts to add flavour. These include mint, lemongrass, rosemary, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, dried culinary lavender, rose extract and more.

To make flavoured syrup, simply add the flavouring ingredient when boiling, cool, then store in a sealed jar in the fridge. Note that if you used a fresh ingredient such as fruit juice, the syrup will last for a less amount of time, about two weeks.