Cherry Simple Syrup
Cherry simple syrup is an incredibly versatile addition to your favorite drinks. It brings a delicious sweet flavor to cocktails, mocktails, or iced tea. Perfect for the summer months.
This homemade cherry syrup is luscious and vibrant, with a deep red hue that will take your drinks to new heights.
Add it to cherry cocktails (like a cherry gin sour, cherry daiquiri, cherry old-fashioned or cherry Moscow mule) or enhance non-alcoholic beverages like sparkling water or lemonade. Its stunning color and delightful taste are sure to impress.
A simple syrup
A regular simple syrup is exactly what it sounds like – Simple, and it’s a syrup. It’s made of a mixture of water and sugar and in this case, the addition of fruit. The ratio of sugar to water in simple syrup is 1 part sugar, 1 part water.
This is often measured in volume – 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water. Volume is less consistent than measuring in weight (40g more water than sugar in a cup), but it doesn’t make much difference in a recipe like this.
Try raspberry simple syrup or rosemary simple syrup next!
Cherry Simple Syrup Ingredients
For this easy cherry syrup recipe, gather the following simple ingredients:
- Fresh or frozen cherries (both work well). They can be sweet cherries or tart cherries. If you use fresh cherries, there’s no need for a cherry pitter. Keep the whole cherry pits there too. They will bring great flavor when simmered and steeped.
- Granulated white sugar (just regular white cane sugar, not brown sugar, so you don’t impart any other flavors)
- Water
- Lemon juice – enhances flavor.
- Almond extract – This gives extra flavor and is delicious, reminiscent of maraschino cherries.
Method
Combine the cherries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and almond extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir and let the sugar dissolve.
Increase to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. You can smash cherries up a bit as you stir.
Turn off the heat and let the cherries steep in the syrup until it’s room temperature.
Place a fine mesh sieve or mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the cherry mixture into it. You can also use a cloth to make the syrup extra clear. Allow the cherry syrup to drain.
Let the cherry simple syrup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or mason jar for storage.
Ways to use this homemade syrup recipe
- Add it to your favorite drinks, such as iced tea, club soda, or Italian soda, for a delicious cherry flavor.
- Mix it into classic cocktails, like old-fashioned, Collins, or Pink Lady, for a fruit-forward twist.
- Drizzle it over ice cream for a delightful cherry topping.
Storage
Fresh fruit syrup like this can be stored in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The syrup can be frozen for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
Top tip – Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it, so you have individual servings!
Cherry Simple Syrup Recipe
Cherry simple syrup is an incredibly versatile addition to your favorite drinks, bringing a sweet flavor. Perfect for the summer months.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Combine the cherries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and almond extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir and let the sugar dissolve.
- Increase to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Slightly mash the cherries to break them up.
- Turn off the heat and let the cherries steep in the syrup until it's room temperature.
- Place a cloth or fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the cherry mixture into it. Allow the cherry syrup to drain.
- For storage, let the syrup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or mason jar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 0gSugar: 28gProtein: 0g
