Cranberry Simple Syrup
Cranberry simple syrup is a three ingredient recipe you’ll want to have on hand this holiday season! This sweet syrup is loaded with cranberry flavor and perfect for cocktails, baked goods, and more!
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Cranberry is one of those flavors that practically sings, “Jingle Bells.”
Their tart flavor is everywhere during the holidays starting with Cranberry Sauce on Thanksgiving and carrying through to festive dishes like Cranberry Chicken and Rice Skillet and Cranberry Apple Crumbles.
And you know what?
I’m here for it.
There’s something really refreshing about their tangy tart flavor.
And when you use them to make cranberry simple syrup you get all that flavor but the slight sourness of the berries is balanced by the sweet sugar making this a perfect addition to cranberry drinks and baked goods.
Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies
To make this simple syrup cranberry recipe, you will need only three ingredients:
- Water – Tap water works fine, but you could use spring, filtered, or otherwise.
- Granulated Sugar – This adds the sweetness to the simple syrup.
- Cranberries – You will need about a cup of fresh cranberries. You may be able to use frozen, but we have not tested that. Around November to December, grocery stores often carry bags of fresh cranberries.
You don’t need any fancy equipment, but you will need:
- Whisk – Yes, you can use a fork with a long enough handle to make sure you don’t accidently splash hot water on your hands.
- Small Pot
How to Make Cranberry Simple Syrup
1. Add ingredients to a small pot.
Pour the water, sugar and cranberries into a small pot.
Turn your burner on medium-high and start to whisk the mixture.
Bring the water up to a simmer or low boil.
Simmer until the cranberries start to burst open.
The cranberry simple syrup is ready to come off the stove when most of the cranberries have burst and the water is now a pinkish red color.
2. Strain out the cranberries.
Remove the pot from the stove.
Let the simple syrup cool slightly so you don’t get burned while you handle it, and then strain the cranberry simple syrup into a mason jar or other container.
3. Chill and use the cranberry simple syrup.
Once it cools to room temperature, you can place it your fridge.
Use the simple syrup in your favorite drink recipes, like this Christmas Cranberry Cocktail, a or in baked dishes.
How to Use Cranberry Simple Syrup
We use cranberry simple syrup in so many festive dishes and drinks like:
- Easy Christmas Cranberry Champagne Cocktails
- Christmas Morning Mimosas
- Add a splash to this Sparkling Apple Cider Screw Driver or Hot Apple Cider Bourbon for a cranapple cocktail situation
- Mix some into the batter of Cranberry Orange Baked Pancake
- Sweeten up a Baked French Toast Casserole
- Sprinkle some on a cake for an extra moist cake.
Storing and Serving
Cranberry simple syrup should stay fresh for several weeks in the fridge when kept in a sealed container.
You can use the syrup in different drink and dessert recipes to add a bit of cranberry flavor and sweetness.
Heck, you could be brave and try it in coffee for a new take on festive coffee. We’ve never done this, but if you are feeling adventerous, try it and let us know how it went.
Tips and Tricks
- Bring the pot to simmer, not a boil. About medium-high heat should work, but this can vary based on your stove.
- Don’t turn on the heat until both water and sugar are in the pot. If you heat up the sugar by itself or without whisking, you could end up with some nasty burnt sugar.
- For a bit of extra flavor, you can add a legitimate splash of vanilla extract.
Other Simple Syrups
Some other simple syrups to make for your favorite drinks, include:
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Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cups water
- 1 cup cranberries
Instructions
- Add the water and sugar into a small pot.
- Turn the burner to medium-high and start whisking the water and sugar together.
- Once the sugar dissolves or is nearly dissovled, add in the cranberries.
- Bring the pot to a simmer.
- Simmer, stirring occassionally, until most or all of the cranberries have burst.
- Strain the cranberries out as you pour it carefully into a mason jar or other container.
- Allow to cool to room temperature, cover or seal, and then place into the fridge.
- Add to your favorite drinks or baking recipes.
Nutrition
