Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water–this means that it is not zero-calorie simple syrup. Nonetheless, these sweeteners disperse evenly throughout beverages of any temperature. People also use syrup sweeteners in some of the best cocktails and cold drinks such as iced tea, coffee, or lemonade.  

Different sweeteners can be used to make simple syrup, including brown sugar and honey, and different additives can create a variety of flavored syrups.

Types of Simple Syrups

When it comes to syrups, you must decide which type of syrup you want to make or purchase. For instance, it can be thin, medium, or thick. For homemade syrups, the ratio of water and sugar you use will determine the type of syrup you make. However, the rule of thumb is that sugar-free syrup is better for you than sugar-filled syrups; natural ingredients like honey are usually the best way to go.

You should also note that the longer you boil syrup, the thicker it will be when it cools. There are three types of simple syrup:

Thin Simple Syrup 

This is made of a ratio of 2:1—two parts of water to one part of sugar. You can use this to glaze cakes and cookies.

Medium Simple Syrup

This syrup is also made of sugar and water, and you measure the ingredients in a ratio of 1:1—one cup of water to one cup of sugar. You can use it to sweeten beverages and iced tea.

Thick or Rich Simple Syrup

This consists of twice the amount of sugar as water, in the ratio of 2:1. 

Among the three varieties, the thin simple syrup is the best for making cocktails and other sweet drinks. It is also used in cold fruit drinks and cocktails. Bartenders usually prefer it for cocktails because it dissolves more quickly and efficiently than solid sugar.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is easy, quick, and cheap to make at home. As mentioned above, you can use it in cocktails and other recipes–the materials required include sugar, water, a heat source, and a pan. However, you can still purchase syrups like Skinny Mixes syrups from the store or online. If you plan to stock up on a variety of syrups, you should read our article on whether or not simple syrup goes bad before you make any decisions. 

If you decide to make your own simple syrup, there are two ways to do it:

The Cold Method

This technique requires you to add sugar into cold water and keep stirring gently until the sugar completely dissolves, which usually takes a significant amount of time if you want to achieve the desired consistency.

The Hot Method

This method involves adding the preferred ratio of sugar and water in a pot or saucepan. You then allow the ingredients to boil on low heat, ensuring that you stir gently and continuously until the sugar dissolves completely. Next, allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then pour it into a clean, airtight container. 

Final Thoughts 

Simple syrups are some of the best beverage sweeteners out there. This is why Skinny Mixes low-carb syrups offer drinkers a variety of creative ways to make their coffee, tea, or cocktails taste good. At home, you can also add spices or herbs like cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, whole cloves, cardamom pods, lavender, basil leaves, ginger root, mint leaves, or fruit to add further flavor.