Martha Stewart Basic Simple Syrup

Martha Stewart Basic Simple Syrup is an easy homemade liquid sweetener made with just sugar and water, ready in 5 minutes. Save this easy two-ingredient sweetener for weeknight dinner drinks, summer cocktails or iced coffee, because it's a no-fuss stovetop pantry staple.

Let the syrup cool completely before you pour it into a container, because that keeps it clear and stable in the fridge. Bottle it warm and condensation builds up inside, which can shorten how long it lasts.

Martha heats the mixture only until the sugar dissolves and the liquid turns translucent, which takes about 30 seconds of boiling. Stopping there keeps the syrup clean and light, since boiling much longer starts to turn it toward caramel.

Martha Stewart Basic Simple Syrup

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

2

minutes

Cooking time

3

minutes

Calories

32

kcal

Sugar and water simmer into a clear, lightly sweet syrup that pours smoothly straight from the fridge. Once cooled, it stirs into cold drinks without leaving gritty sugar at the bottom of the glass.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
  

• 1 cup water
  

Directions

• Combine sugar and water: Stir 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar together in a small saucepan. Set it over medium-high heat so it comes up to temperature quickly.
• Boil until dissolved: Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. It's ready when the sugar has dissolved and the liquid looks translucent.
• Cool completely: Take the pan off the heat and let the syrup cool all the way down. Then pour it into an airtight container for storing.

Tools for this recipe

• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 3-quart saucepan, Ball regular mouth mason jars, 12 pack, OXO 11-inch balloon whisk. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

How long does homemade simple syrup last in the fridge?

Kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it lasts up to three months. Sugar acts as a preservative and water is the only other ingredient, so it holds up well. Glass is the best choice for long storage.

Can I make simple syrup without boiling it?

Yes, there are no-boil versions where you just stir sugar and water together until dissolved. Martha prefers the stovetop method, because heating dissolves the sugar fully and gives a smoother syrup. Cold versions take more stirring and can stay a bit grainy.

What can I use if I don't have simple syrup?

Honey or maple syrup works in a pinch, though both add their own flavor. Since this recipe takes only two pantry staples and about 30 seconds at a boil, making a fresh batch is usually just as easy.

How do I make flavored simple syrup?

Make the basic syrup first, then steep your flavoring in the warm syrup for about 30 minutes. Lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, fresh herbs or coffee beans all work. Taste it along the way, because a longer steep gives a stronger flavor.

What's the most common mistake when making simple syrup?

Boiling it too long is the big one, because the water cooks off and you end up heading toward caramel. Pull it off the heat as soon as the sugar dissolves. Skipping the cool-down before storing is the other slip.