Transform Your Drinks with 5-Minute Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

4 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

Move over, basic simple syrup! Brown sugar is here to elevate your beverages with its rich, caramel, and toffee-like essence. Whether you’re sipping on iced coffee, homemade lattes, or your favorite cocktails, this syrup adds depth and sweetness that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

Spoon scooping brown sugar simple syrup from jar.

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make this heavenly syrup, with just two simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time. The best part? It can keep in the fridge for weeks, so you’ll always have it on hand to satisfy your beverage cravings!

What is Simple Syrup?

Traditional simple syrup is like liquid sugar. Granulated sugar dissolves into water, creating a sweet liquid that’s perfect for adding to drinks. It’s especially useful for cold beverages since the sugar is already dissolved. No more grainy drinks!

Simple syrup can be flavored in countless ways, from fresh fruit, herbs, and spices. In this case, we’ll be using brown sugar for that extra touch of sweetness.

Light or Dark Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is essentially granulated sugar with the addition of molasses, which gives it that distinctive brown color. Molasses is a dark and syrupy liquid sugar that imparts a sweet caramel-like flavor to brown sugar.

Light Brown Sugar is milder in flavor as it contains less molasses.
Dark Brown Sugar is richer in flavor, with about double the amount of molasses. However, it can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste.

Both light and dark brown sugar can be used to make simple syrup, depending on your preference. If you want that deep, rich brown sugar flavor, go for the dark variety!

Brown sugar in bowl with whisk next to water.

Let’s Make Brown Sugar Syrup!

Making brown sugar syrup is a breeze. Trust us, you can’t go wrong with this foolproof recipe. It’s simply a matter of dissolving the sugar in water. However, we do have a few tips to ensure your syrup-making experience is a success:

Saucepan with brown sugar and water.

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan.
Bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. No need to bring it to a boil.
Remove from heat and let it cool.
Use it right away or store it in the fridge for future use.

If you’re in a hurry, you can simmer the water before adding the sugar. It speeds up the process, saving you a few precious minutes.

Variations

For an extra burst of flavor, try adding some vanilla extract to your simple syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, throw in a cinnamon stick for fall-inspired cocktails or coffee recipes. You can even experiment with adding a splash of maple syrup or combining it with caramel syrup for an irresistible flavor combination!

Brown sugar simple syrup pouring into jar.

How Sweet is it?

The most common ratio for making simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar (equal parts). However, you can adjust the amount as needed, whether it’s 1 cup of sugar and water, 1/2 cup, or anything in between.

A 1:1 ratio creates a thin consistency, similar to maple syrup, but slightly thinner. It’s perfect for any beverage.
You can also use a 2:1 ratio to make it sweeter. This means using two parts sugar to one part water, resulting in a “rich” simple syrup. It has a thicker, more viscous texture and is sweeter, allowing you to use less of it to achieve the desired sweetness level.

How to Store Simple Syrup

While simple syrup can last for quite a long time in the fridge, it does eventually go bad. To make it last as long as possible (usually 3-4 weeks), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. If you notice any cloudiness or an off-smell, it’s time to toss it out and make a fresh batch.

If you don’t anticipate using the entire batch within a few weeks, you can freeze the simple syrup. I recommend freezing it in individual portions using Souper Cubes or a regular ice tray for easy removal.

Bitters jar with brown sugar simple syrup next to other jars.

Ways to Use Brown Sugar Simple Syrup

Now that you have your delicious brown sugar simple syrup, here are some fantastic ways to enjoy it:

Make a DIY shaken brown sugar iced latte.
Add it to a hot latte or regular coffee for a delightful caramelly sweetness.
Use it in bubble tea or to sweeten iced tea.
Enhance an Old Fashioned cocktail (it pairs wonderfully with bourbon or whiskey!).
Substitute it for regular simple syrup in any recipe.

Additional FAQs

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