Homemade Brown Sugar Spiced Simple Syrup
from https://www.thespruceeats.com/
Many cocktails can benefit from the dark sweetness of brown sugar and it is easy to make your own simple syrup at home. This recipe uses brown sugar for the base and adds traditional holiday spices to give it a warm, rich twist that is perfect for winter cocktails.
Be sure to use whole spices to make straining easier. The only exception is with the nutmeg, which will have to be grated. You can also place all of the smaller spices into a tea bag or ball and place that into the syrup. This may eliminate using a strainer completely because you can simply fish out the cinnamon and orange with a large spoon.
The vanilla bean is optional because it is one of the most expensive spices on the market. If you can, I do recommend adding it because it really is sort of a finishing touch to the spice blend. In its absence, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract can be used.
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 vanilla bean, optional
1 cup packed brown sugar
Gather the ingredients.
In a small saucepan, add the water, cinnamon, orange zest, and spices. Bring to a boil.
Add sugar and stir constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Remove from the heat, cover, and allow to cool completely. The cooling time allows the spices to infuse the syrup. Leave them for at least 3 hours and taste it periodically until it reaches your desired flavor.
Strain the spices from the syrup using a fine mesh strainer.
Bottle and store in the refrigerator.
This syrup will stay fresh for about 2 to 3 weeks in a well-sealed bottle. Refrigeration is recommended. The proportions above make about 1 cup of syrup and it is easy to make more if you like. Simply increase the water and sugar, keeping the two measurements equal.
Recipe using Homemade Brown Sugar Spiced Simple Syrup
