With thanksgiving, and the countdown to the holidays, just around the corner this Cranberry Simple Syrup is a must have cocktail ingredient. Whether you are adding it to a Vodka Soda, or mixing it into your Margarita, it will instantly bring a dash of festivity to your cocktails. Incredibly easy to make, and delicious to boot, this will become a yearly staple for your holiday celebrations. Made with organic Florida cane sugar, this Cranberry Simple Syrup recipe supports local!
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED FOR CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP?
Making your own simple syrups, as the name indicates, is simple. This easy recipe requires just 3 ingredients- sugar, cranberries and water. It is important that you use quality sugar, and as luck would have it, Florida is home to one of the best sugar cane producers in the world, Florida Crystals.
The Sugar: Sugarcane grows best in tropical climates, requiring extended seasons of hot weather and plenty of rainfall. It’s no surprise then that Florida accounts for over half of the production of sugarcane in the United States. Florida is also home to the only organic raw cane sugar producer in the country, Florida Crystals.
Why Organic Is Best: Organic sugar cane produced by Florida Crystals is Non-GMO Project verified, vegan, kosher, minimally processed and unlike other sugarcane producers doesn’t use harmful pesticides and herbicides. Whilst this doesn’t make it a super-food “per se”, it does mean it retains more of its nutrients, and contains less of the nasty stuff, than standard white sugar.
Not only is it the smarter choice for your body, but it’s also the smarter choice for the planet. Florida Crystals boasts some of the most eco-friendly farms in the nation leveraging technology, natural pest control (barn owls) and crop rotation to ensure that the sugar they produce is sustainable and has minimal impact on the environment.
Recommended Sugar: If you plan on making simple syrup regularly, or are a keen baker, then the multi pack of the 3 Pound jug is the best value:
But if your pantry is short on space then they do offer a more manageable 2 Pound pack:
The Cranberries: The majority of US cranberries are farmed in two states. Over half are farmed in Wisconsin and another third in Massachusetts. Chances are that if you are buying fresh cranberries in your store then they will be from our cousins up north, especially if you are buying during US harvest season (mid-September to mid- November). Get fresh if you can, however frozen work perfectly as well. You can use dried cranberries if that’s all you have, but be sure to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe by half, as dried cranberries are already sweetened.
The Water: If you are using water in cocktails, simple syrups or just drinking it throughout the day, use filtered water. Water straight from the tap contains tiny amounts of chlorine and heavy metals, so you want to get rid of that before you use it. If you don’t already own one, then we’d recommend getting yourself a Brita pitcher.
Recommended Pitcher: BRITA Everyday Water Pitcher (10 cup)
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I USE FOR CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP?
Saucepan: A saucepan with a pouring spout and straining lid can be particularly useful, especially if you are making flavored simple syrups by steeping berries like this recipe. Heavy bottomed nonstick pans are the way to go as they absorb and distribute heat more evenly to prevent sticking and burning.
Recommended Pan: FABERWARE Nonstick Saucepan with Straining Lid (1 Quart)
Strainer: At the end of this recipe you will need to strain the cranberries to get all that delicious juice. You will need a medium sized fine mesh strainer, and there are plenty of options on Amazon to cover all your straining needs.
Recommended Strainer: MAKERSTEP Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers (Set of 3)
HOW SHOULD I STORE CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP?
Storage: Store this Cranberry Simple Syrup in an airtight container for up to a month. If you make cocktails regularly, it is worth getting some storage bottles specifically for your simple syrups. Anything made for pouring liquid will do the job, so things like olive oil dispensers work great. We’ve received plenty of compliments on our cork topped jug, and everyone is always surprised when we tell them it was only around $10 from Amazon!
Recommended Storage Bottle: BORMIOLI ROCCO Cork Topped Oil Bottle, (8 oz)
Funnel: If you’re going to be transferring your simple syrup to a bottle then get a funnel. It will save you making a mess of your kitchen worktops. There are plenty of affordable options on amazon and most of them are collapsible to save space in your kitchen.
Recommended Funnel: RIENAR Silicone Collapsible Funnel (2 Pack)
We hope you enjoy the Cranberry Simple Syrup recipe below. Cheers!
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Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Cane Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the cranberries, water and sugar to a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally
- Step 2: When it comes to a boil reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes
- Step 3: Remove from heat and leave to steep for 20 mins
- Step 4: Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently on the berries with a wooden spoon to release the juices
- Step 5: Pour simple syrup into an airtight container
Notes
Tips
Storage: Simple syrup can be stored safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Dried Cranberries: Remember to reduce the sugar by half if you use dried cranberries as these are already sweetened.
Other Homemade Simple Syrup Recipes To Try:
Organic Cane Sugar Simple Syrup
Orange Blossom Honey Simple Syrup