FOOD NEWS
The Trick To Stabilizing Homemade Simple Syrup
BY AUTUMN SWIERS
Simple syrup is one of the most versatile sweeteners to use in drinks. This combo of sugar dissolved in water has a neutral flavor and melts into liquids with no grainy texture.
You can even make a big batch of simple syrup to pull out of the fridge whenever you're mixing drinks, but over time, the sugar can crystallize. To prevent this, add corn syrup.
Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener like simple syrup, but it's also a humectant, meaning it keeps moisture locked into foods and drinks. This prevents white sugar from crystallizing.
Use 1 to 3 tablespoons of corn syrup in every batch of simple syrup to stabilize it and keep it smooth. The corn syrup won't add any extra flavors, keeping your syrup versatile.
Stabilized simple syrup stays at its best for longer, but any syrup can grow bacteria if improperly stored. To store it the right way, let it cool completely after boiling it.
Transfer the syrup to a clean, airtight glass container and store it in the fridge, where it lasts three weeks to a month. If it ever looks cloudy or tastes off, throw it away.