How to make Simple Syrup

In between my reviews of wine, I have decided to wax poetic about all sorts of other alcohol-related topics. Today, we shall discuss Simple Syrup.

This is something that absolutely everyone who enjoys even a casual cocktail should know how to make at home. Buying it is stupid and you are stupid for doing it (assuming you do. If you do not, congratulations on not being a moron!)

Simple Syrup is used in a number of popular drinks, including the Mojito, Manhattan, etc. Anything that you might want to sweeten, but don't want to just add gritty, hard to mix sugar to.

Here are the directions:

Heat up some water.
Add twice as much sugar as there is water.
Stir until dissolved.

That is it.

That is why they call it Simple Syrup.

Now, you can go ahead and complicate this, but even then it doesn't get all that difficult.

The longer you cook the mixture for, the thicker and sweeter it will be. (Basic cooking, the longer something boils, the less water is in it.)

You can store this syrup in a container in your fridge for a while, like, a good six months if you do not use it all at once.

You can also infuse your syrup with all kinds of delightful flavors. Play around. I like to fill a loose tea infuser with herbs and drop it in while the water boils. You can also add fruit peels, extracts, whatever. Just remember to remove any bits and pieces before using the syrup.

Do you have a favorite flavor combination? A favorite Simple Syrup drink? Tell me in the comments below!