Add a Touch of Sweetness with Cocktail Syrups

What is cocktail syrup?

Cocktail syrups are the sweet little secret that bring your drinks to the next level. They are essentially just a mixture of sugar and water, but with a little creativity, you can make syrups that pack a punch of flavour. 

For those short on time or who just don’t fancy making syrups from scratch there are plenty of amazing options to choose from in your local supermarket.

To make your own, start by mixing equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, you can add in any additional flavours you desire, like fresh fruits, herbs, or spices. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavours together, then strain out any solids and let it cool. Voila! Your very own homemade cocktail syrup, ready to add a touch of deliciousness to any drink. And remember, when it comes to syrups, the sky's the limit, so have fun experimenting with different flavours and combinations.

1:1 Sugar Syrup

Ingredients:

• 200g Caster Sugar
• 200ml Water

Method:

1. Place sugar and water in a saucepan and heat gently
2. Stir to combine ingredients until the liquid is clear.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before pouring into a sealable container.
4. For thicker and sweeter syrup add more sugar.

Mixed Berry Syrup

Ingredients:

• 200g granulated sugar
• 200ml water
• 300g mixed berries 

Method: 

1. Place sugar and water in a saucepan and heat gently
2. Remove from heat, stir in the mixed berries, and mash with a potato masher or fork.
3. Let steep for at least 1 hour.
4. Drain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing raspberry pulp with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. 
5. Discard solids and store syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Earl Grey Tea Syrup

Ingredients:

• 200g Caster Sugar
• 4 x Preferred Tea Bags
• 200ml Water

(Recipe can be made with any preferred tea except green tea.)

Method: 

1. Pour 200ml of boiling water over your teabags and steep for twice as long as the packet suggests.
2. Strain the tea into a pan, add sugar and heat gently while stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before pouring into a sealable container.

Banana Syrup

Ingredients:

• 200g granulated sugar
• 75ml water
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 bananas peeled and cut into 2cm slices

Method: 

1. In a saucepan, over medium heat, add sugar, water and salt. 
2. Bring the mixture to a low boil whilst whisking frequently for 8-10 mins.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 10 mins, whisking occasionally.
4. Add chopped banana and simmer for 10 more mins.
5. Strain the bananas from the syrup, removing as much syrup from the banana as possible.
6. Once cooled, store the syrup in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.