Strawberry simple syrup is a delightful addition to your kitchen arsenal. Whether you’re sweetening beverages, drizzling over desserts, or creating flavorful concoctions, this syrup adds a burst of fresh strawberry flavor with minimal effort. In this post, I’ll guide you through the process of making your own strawberry simple syrup using just three ingredients, highlight different sweeteners you can use, and explore creative ways to enjoy it.
While traditional recipes often call for granulated sugar, here are several alternative sweeteners you can use to make strawberry simple syrup:
– **Honey**: Adds a floral note and is a natural sweetener. Use the same measurement as sugar.
– **Maple Syrup**: Introduces a warm, earthy flavor. Replace sugar with an equal amount of maple syrup.
– **Coconut Sugar**: Offers a mild caramel flavor and works well in the same ratio as granulated sugar.
– **Date Sugar**: Provides a unique sweetness with hints of caramel and can be used in equal amounts.
– **Agave Syrup**: An excellent vegan option, use about ¾ cup of agave syrup for every cup of sugar.
Creative Ways to Use Strawberry Simple Syrup
The possibilities are endless with strawberry simple syrup! Here are some delicious ways to incorporate it into your culinary creations:
1. **Strawberry Milk**: Simply mix 2-3 tablespoons of strawberry syrup with a glass of milk for a delightful twist on traditional strawberry milk.
2. **Cocktails and Mocktails**: Use the syrup to sweeten cocktails, like a strawberry mojito or a refreshing spritz. It’s also great in non-alcoholic beverages, adding a sweet berry flavor.
3. **Desserts**: Drizzle the syrup over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, or cheesecake for an indulgent treat.
4. **Smoothies**: Stir the syrup into your favorite smoothie recipes for added sweetness and flavor.
5. **Salad Dressing**: Whisk it into a vinaigrette for a tasty berry-infused dressing.
6. **Yogurt Topping**: Swirl into yogurt for a naturally sweet and tangy parfait.
I have seen strawberry Simple Syrup cost up to $9:00 in the store, and they also contain
citric acid, hexametaphosphate, potassium sorbate, preservatives, natural flavors, sodium metabisulfite, and red 40
And do not let the nature in natural flavors fool you into using the term the company only phase to use the one thing natural
The original source of natural flavors must be plant or animal material. However, natural flavors can be highly processed and contain many chemical additives. In fact, in some cases, natural flavors aren’t much different from artificial flavors in terms of chemical composition and health effects.
Strawberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
Alternitive sweetners
Honey**: Adds a floral note and is a natural sweetener. Use the same measurement as sugar.
– **Maple Syrup**: Introduces a warm, earthy flavor. Replace sugar with an equal amount of maple syrup.
– **Coconut Sugar**: Offers a mild caramel flavor and works well in the same ratio as granulated sugar.
– **Date Sugar**: Provides a unique sweetness with hints of caramel and can be used in equal amounts.
– **Agave Syrup**: An excellent vegan option, use about ¾ cup of agave syrup for every cup of sugar.
Instructions
- Combine the strawberries, water, and sugar in a saucepan set over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, until the liquid is deep red and the strawberry are soft.
- I like to use a potato masher and give the strawberries a little mash, but this is not necessary.
- Strain the strawberries out from the simple syrup; I press down lightly to squeeze the syrup from the strawberries, just not too hard. Otherwise, your syrup will be cloudy.
- I store mine in the fridge in an airtight container.