How long does simple syrup last in the fridge?

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 23:04:44 +0000

Simple syrup is incredibly easy to make and comes in quite handy for making cocktails as well as mocktails. But how long does simple syrup last in the fridge? There are three main factors that contribute to the shelf life of homemade syrup: sugar content, flavoring and cooking method. This post not only describes different kinds of simple syrup, it will also tell you how to properly store them as well as how long they are generally good for.

What is Simple Syrup?

You can make basic simple syrup by combining 1 part of water with 1 part of sugar. Then stir the mixture over medium/high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring it to a boil, take off the heat and let cool completely. You can flavor simple syrup with zest, spices, herbs and fruit.

Generally there are 3 common mixing ratios. For light syrup mix 2 parts water with 1 part sugar (1 cup of water + ½ cup of sugar). The most popular mix is 1 part water and 1 part sugar (1 cup of water + 1 cup of sugar), this is called basic simple syrup. Lastly, there is thick syrup. Mix 1 part water with 2 parts sugar (1 cup of water + 2 cups of sugar). The more sugar is in the syrup, the longer it lasts.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: incredibly versatile and easy to make
Main Ingredients: water, sugar, flavorings
Cooking Method: stovetop
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Essential Ingredient In: cocktails, mocktails, punches, sangria, iced tea
Diets: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan
Special Equipment Needed: saucepan, whisk, airtight container or bottle

Ingredients and Flavor Variations

Water and white sugar are the basic ingredients for rich simple syrup recipes. However, you can make different types of simple syrup by adding fruit, herbs, spices or zest. Some of our favorite add-ins are:

Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries
Zest: orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit
Herbs: mint, elderflower, lavender, rosemary
Spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, ginger, vanilla bean
Other Sweeteners: You can also create amazing flavors using brown sugar or honey.

How To Make Simple Syrup

Make homemade simple syrup by dissolving sugar in water over medium heat until the water becomes a rich simple syrup. The best way to make this is in a small saucepan on the stovetop. The ratio of sugar to liquid is 1:1. Use as much sugar as you want and include an equal portion of liquid. Use pure cane sugar, granulated sugar, brown sugar or even maple syrup. Bring your sugar solutions to a boil. Continue to stir as your sugar dissolves. Store in a sterile container (glass jars, glass bottles or plastic container) and allow to cool before storing. Try one of these recipes:

Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe: This is wonderful in holiday drinks, holiday salads or any time you need to use a simple syrup.

Fruit Salad Dressing: This simple dressing is delicious over fruit salads.

Basic Simple Syrup: This is just a basic simple syrup you can use for any recipe that requires a store-bought syrup or homemade syrup.

If you increase the sugar to liquid ratio, you will get a thicker sweet syrup. Thicker syrups with more sugar will store in the refrigerator for a long time but you may need to adjust the amount you use in your recipes because they have a high sugar content and are therefore a much sweeter, richer syrup.

How To Store

Room Temperature: We do not recommend storing simple syrup on the counter any longer than it needs to cool down after cooking.

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or glass container such as a glass bottle, mason jar or jam jar in the refrigerator. A container with a lid that closes tightly is important.

Freeze: Pour into a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 year. We recommend freezing simple syrup in ice cube trays. Pour equal amounts into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then put frozen ice cubes into a freezer ziploc bag. This way you can pull out just the right amount you need from the freezer bag when it’s time to use it.

Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight or let sit on the counter until ready to use.

How Long Can You Store Simple Syrup?

As mentioned above, the shelf life depends on a couple of factors. Simple syrup recipes have a long shelf life compared to most homemade food and drink recipes. However, every bottle of your own simple syrup does not have the same shelf life.

Firstly, the amount of sugar in the syrup. The more sugar you add, the longer it lasts. See storage times below.

Secondly, the method of making the syrup effects the expiration date. The most popular way to make simple syrup is by bringing the water/sugar mixture to a boil, also called the hot process. This is because boiling kills bacteria and therefore creates a more stable syrup and ensures a longer shelf life. However, you can also make cold process syrup. Add cold water to sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cold water syrup does not last as long as the hot process one.

And thirdly, the shelf life also depends on whether your syrup is flavored or not. Unflavored syrup lasts longer than flavored ones. The flavors you add in will have their own shelf life. For example, our cranberry simple syrup has a shorter shelf life than plain simple syrup.

General Storage Times:

Flavored simple syrup as well as light syrup lasts about 2 weeks in the fridge.
Basic simple syrup (1:1 ratio) lasts up to 1 month in the fridge.
Thick simple syrup with more sugar than water lasts about 2-3 months in the fridge.

Stef says….

Classic Rum Mojitos are some of my favorite cocktails. They are a tasty combination of tart lime, flavorful mint, good ol’ spiced rum, and a splash of sweet and soda! So if your are looking for new recipes to use up your simple syrup, mojitos are perfect for you!

Storage Tips for Simple Syrup

Follow these tips on how to properly store homemade syrup.

Tip: Boil your simple syrup. Boiling makes a more stable syrup and extends the shelf life.
Tip: Use a sterile and airtight container. It is very important to pour the syrup into a clean airtight container such as a glass bottle or mason jar.
Tip: Keep the syrup in the fridge. Do not let the finished simple syrup sit on the counter for long periods of time. Return to the fridge whenever possible.

Recipes That Use Simple Syrup

Common Questions

My simple syrup is getting cloudy, is it still safe to use?

Unfortunately, no. When simple syrup starts to get cloudy, it has gone bad. The cloudiness is a sign that bacteria is growing and therefore the syrup needs to be thrown away. If stored too long, simple syrup might also develop a foul odor due to the growth of mold.

What is the best sugar-to-water ratio for simple syrup?

Generally there are 3 common mixing ratios. For light syrup mix 2 parts water with 1 part sugar (1 cup water + ½ cup sugar). The most popular mix is 1 part water and 1 part sugar (1 cup water + 1 cup sugar), this is called basic simple syrup. Lastly, there is thick syrup. Mix 1 part water with 2 parts sugar (1 cup water + 2 cups sugar). The more sugar is in the syrup, the longer it lasts.

Can I make other flavors of simple syrup?

Of course. In fact you can make loads of different flavored simple syrup. You can add flavor by simply switching to brown sugar, and your syrup will have a slight caramel flavor. Besides fruit, you can also add spices, such as vanilla, anise, or cloves. Furthermore, you can add herbs to the water and sugar mixture to make flavors such as mint or elderflower. Adding zest such as orange, lemon or lime, for example, creates syrup with amazing citrus flavor.

Andrea says….

I always keep a couple of bottles of different flavored simple syrup in my fridge. Not only do they come in handy to make amazing drinks, but you can also use homemade syrup as a topping for ice cream or a sweetener for iced tea. Furthermore, you can drizzle or brush it on baked cake layers to add extra flavor and keep the cake moist.

Basic Simple Syrup Recipe

How to make a basic simple syrup recipe with sugar and water.

Course condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword simple syrup

Cook Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings serveings

Calories 48kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Whisk occasionally while you bring to a boil.
Stir while the sugar dissolves. The sugar mixture will thicken and become clear.
Remove from heat and cool before storing.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

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