Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup

Making your own vanilla syrup at home is easy. Store in a sterile glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to a week. Makes a great addition to coffee, tea, or cocktails. After cooking the mixture leave the pod in the syrup to allow it to further infuse in the refrigerator.

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean

Add sugar and water to a small saucepan. Slice vanilla bean down the center and scrape out the black seeds. Add the seeds and pod to the liquid mixture. Heat over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved completely and mixture has come to a boil, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a sterile glass container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Makes 1 cup

Vanilla Simple Syrup (vanilla extract)

1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely. Stir in vanilla extract.