The Easiest Way to Make Simple Syrup

Last Updated on June 4, 2023 by Michelle

Yes, making simple syrup can be super easy. Today I’m going to tell you the easiest way ever.

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Maybe I should clarify; this is easy for those of you who still have fragrant blooms abounding in your neck of the woods. Here in New England fall is in the air, but I’m thankful for all the floral simple syrup I made and canned this summer. So I thought it was about time I share these details with you of the 3 steps to EASY simple syrup.

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Sometimes I Need “Easy”

Some days you want “easy,” right?

In general, I thoroughly believe “simple” doesn’t often mean “easy.” Heck, I named my whole podcast off of this belief.

But sometimes… once in a while… simple gets pretty darn close to being easy. And I’m over here doing a jig in my muck boots I’m so excited about this latest example.

How I Used to Make Simple Syrup

My go-to way to make simple syrup for years now has been to boil water and sugar, then simmer the flowers in the sugar water for 10 minutes.

Side note, in case you’re wondering, I used to make lilac syrup with refined sugar. Before I became a sugarmaker and started writing my book, Sweet Maple.

The more I learned about all-natural sugar compared to refined sugar, I now use this organic cane sugar if I can’t use maple syrup or make my own maple sugar. Or, if I need it quickly, I’ll pick this up at my local Aldi’s store: pure cane sugar like this one.

The Easiest Way to Make Simple Syrup

No need to dissolve your sugar in boiling water or stand over the stove while you steep your blooms in a simmering pot. Instead, check out my new go-to plan for many future simple syrup creations. This is simple syrup in 3 simple steps, that you can make with any floral edible flowers and all-natural sugar!

After removing your blooms from the plant or bush (leaving the green sepals and base of the flower behind), fill a mason jar with the fragrant blooms. The size of the jar is up to you (or dictated by your plethora of blooms). See below for inspiration about what blooms you could use for making simple syrup.

Bring a small pot of water to a boil on your stove. Or just dispense the hot water right into your jar, if you have an instant hot water heater. Bill got me mine about 7 years ago–he scored some mega brownie points that mother’s day–and it is still working beautifully every day since.

Then you want to let your floral blooms sit in the jar, covered with the hot water, until the water has cooled to room temperature. You’ll notice the water slowly and subtly taking on the color of the blooms. Below you can see the slightly purple tint to the lilac water and the yellow tint to the forsythia water.

After your water is cold to the touch (feel free to let it sit overnight if you’d like), strain out the flowers and toss them (or add them to your compost pile).

Now you’re ready to add honey or maple syrup to your pretty floral water.

You’ll want to add 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup for every 1 cup of water. And, of course, since it’s already a liquid sugar, it will mix in easily to your cold floral-infused water. No need to boil the floral water to dissolve it or to simmer your concoction for 10 minutes, which is the way I used to make simple sugar.

Well, before today that is.

You can store your syrup in the refrigerator for weeks, maybe months. If you’d like to can some to enjoy in the heart of winter, see this article for those directions.

What Blooms Can You Use for Simple Syrup?

Feel free to experiment with any edible bloom (that hasn’t been sprayed with any chemical pesticide of course). Keep in mind that the more fragrant the flower the more you will taste its floral notes in your syrup. My favorite is lilac. Some other edible flowers you could try include:

Lilac
Lavender
Rose
Honeysuckle
Forsythia
Dandelion
Orchid
Pansy
Carnation
Hibiscus
Chamomile
Tulips

Does it Matter What Kind of Honey I Use?

I always use raw honey, because any other honey has been processed.

Of course, if you’re adding honey to a recipe that requires you to heat it, the heat will destroy the nutritional benefits of the raw honey, so you might as well save a little money and use a processed honey. On the other hand, one of the beauties to this simple syrup recipe is that the honey is added to cool water, so it’s perfect for raw honey. Score!

I also recommend you find local honey whenever possible, not only to support your local businesses but also to help with allergies. You see, your local, raw honey is filled with your local allergens that are native to your area.

Since we are beekeepers, our honey is as raw and as local as honey gets. Even so, there is a time and a place in my kitchen for this amazing Tupelo Honey.

When I first met my friends, Brad and Deanna, the owners of Bee Wild Raw Honey, I was immediately captivated by their family and their business. When I tasted their tupelo honey, I was a fan for life.

This honey is the best I’ve ever tasted. No joke. In fact, I never joke about all-natural sweetener. But y’all know that.

Not to mention that when I find a company I love that makes a product I can’t live without, well, I gotta share it with you all.

So if you’re in the market for the best honey I’ve ever tasted, look no further than this tupelo honey from a family-run business in Florida.

AND, for a limited time only, try this deliciousness at 15% off!! Use this link and coupon code MAPLE. (Offer excludes gallons.)

How Do I Use Simple Syrup?

My favorite use is in my homemade kombucha. Lilac Blueberry Kombucha is my favorite flavor I make.

But it’s also wonderful in a cup of warm tea. This is a tea I love made with lilac honey, but you could make the same thing with lilac simple syrup.

And I love making ice tea or lemonade that is sweetened with a floral simple syrup. Lilac Limeade is my favorite. (And my father-in-laws.)

And for an extra special friend, a jar of simple syrup is a perfect gif. Find more ideas and gift cards for gifting simple syrup right here.

3 Steps to EASY Simple Syrup

To make the easiest simple syrup you’ve ever made, follow these 3 simple steps:

Fill a jar full of blooms with hot water. (This instant & portable hot water boiler has been a game changer in my kitchen.)
After completely cool (overnight is fine), strain out flowers.
Add 1/4 cup of tupelo honey for every 1 cup of water.

That’s it. It couldn’t be much simpler, or taste more delicious.