Did you know you can make simple syrup in less than 5 minutes? Say goodbye to stovetop stirring and hello to quick and easy microwave simple syrup, a foolproof recipe that won’t cause sugar to crystallize.
Looking for more syrup ideas? Try my famous brown sugar simple syrup that’s perfect for boba teas, milk teas and lattes.
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Why make it
- You’re looking for an easy but quick sugar simple syrup;
- You have a short time to make it;
- You don’t want to use a stove
Let me tell you a secret: you don’t need to boil water for making a simple sugar syrup: that’s only necessary when you want to infuse the syrup with some other flavor that requires boiling (like this Earl Grey syrup).
We’re only heating water for this recipe. I’ll tell you more about how this is going to work below.
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup is a recipe that dissolves sugar into water, making it easier to be mixed into beverages, especially iced ones. Sugar takes longer to fully dissolve into cold liquids, so having it in a syrup makes sweetening a drink effortless.
The amount of sugar used is what makes it different from a regular syrup. Simple syrups are more liquid, using a ratio of 1:1 (1 part sugar, 1 part water). A regular syrup is thicker and uses 2 parts of sugar for 1 part of water.
Ingredients
This is an easy sugar syrup that takes only 2 ingredients.
Water. Use filtered or tap water.
Sugar. Use granulated or caster sugar.
Don’t use powdered/icing sugar for this recipe.
How to make it
A sugar simple syrup doesn’t need to be boiled for longer periods: sugar dissolves into water even when using it cold. But to speed the dissolving process a bit, we’re heating the water in this recipe using the microwave.
You’ll need a microwave safe bowl for this recipe.
Heat water in the microwave for 1 minute. You don’t need to let it boil.
Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
Wait for it to cool before storing.
Expert Tips
- You don’t need to boil the water for this recipe to work: heating it is more than enough.
- The amount of time for water to heat depends on the microwave and can vary between 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transform this recipe into a vanilla simple syrup by adding 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
- For safety reasons, place a wooden spoon or chopstick in contact with water when heating it. In case you boil water by accident, adding it helps to prevent the risk of super-heating.
- If you’re using tap water, check if yours doesn’t have a high amount of chlorine in it. Chlorine might leave an unpleasant aftertaste for some people.
Recipes with sugar simple syrup
Using simple syrup is much easier than adding sugar. Try these recipes and check the difference:
Questions you might have
Simple syrup is ready when all sugar has dissolved.
Yes. You should refrigerate simple syrup to keep it for longer.
Yes, you can make half a cup, a quarter of a cup, or any amount needed. You just need to remember to keep the ratio 1:1 (equal parts of sugar and water), and everything will turn out fine. Also, note that the amount of water used will take less time to heat if using less than 1 cup.
Storing
Once it's cooled down, transfer simple syrup into a bottle, jar, or container with an airtight lid. Keep it refrigerated.
If stored in the fridge, simple syrup will last for about 3 to 4 weeks. However, if you notice any cloudiness in the syrup, that's an indication of mold, and it's best to discard it immediately as it's no longer safe to consume.
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📖 Recipe
Microwave Simple Syrup
Equipment
- microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Heat water using the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. No need to boil.
- Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Wait for it to cool before storing.
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