Thyme Simple Syrup

Today we’ll show you how to create an easy Thyme Simple Syrup which can then be used in some great thyme cocktails, in dessert toppings, and in some other great ways.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is just sugar water. It makes a great sweetener in drinks and dessert recipes, but has other creative uses, like making jelly beans from actual beans (that’s one application we need to try out with the kids). Over on Food & Wine they say, “if you can boil water, you can make simple syrup”. So…yes…simple syrup is simple to make.

When I think of the value of simple syrup, I think of computer programming.

Naturally, right? Alright, let me explain…

One of the keys to being a good programmer is writing reusable blocks of code. Those reusable blocks of code can then be used as building blocks to create something more complex. A single block of code may be quite simple, but the possible applications for that block of code may be endless. It’s up to you to come up with creative ways in which the block can be used in larger applications. You know the block is the simple syrup and the larger application is a recipe that makes use of it, right? 🙂

Simple Syrup for Cocktails

By far one of the biggest uses for simple syrup is in cocktails as a sweetener. As stated above, the simple syrup is really just a building block which can be used creatively in larger creations. And we know people like to get creative with their cocktails! It works great as a sweetener because a key step in the create of simple syrup….

How do you make Simple Syrup

As mentioned, simple syrup is just sugar water, but the key step is boiling the water so that the sugar dissolves into the water. Just heat equal parts of sugar and water until it bubbles and the sugar dissolves.  This is the key so that you don’t end up with sugar settling out in the bottom of your delicious iced tea (or fruity cocktail). Expecting something more difficult? Sorry to disappoint you.

Thyme Simple Syrup for Thyme Cocktails

One of the first herbs in our garden to start regrowing is thyme.  I have tried to find ways to preserve it through the winter because it is so good in things like our chicken noodle soup.  One good method was just to cut a bunch of sprigs, wash and dry them, and then just put in a plastic bag in the freezer.  I would also like to try using it in an herb salt.  But, spring is here and we have plenty now to use fresh in things like the topping for our lemon cheesecake. And, of course, it’s awesome for cocktails.

For Thyme simple syrup just add a bunch of thyme sprigs to your sugar water after the boiling process is done. Let steep for an hour, cool, and you’re done!

There’s no limit to the number of cocktails that might benefit from a thyme and sugar infusion. We’ve tried it in our go to strawberry daiquiri recipe and most recently we made strawberry thyme margaritas. It’s so easy to do, you really have no excuse…start trying out some thyme cocktails!

 

 

 

 

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