This tart, tangy, and sweet Cranberry Simple Syrup adds a ton of cranberry flavor to any dish. Use it in cocktails, salad dressings, and plenty of sweet treats! This simple syrup is perfect for adding a little winter flavor in any drink or festive dish all season long!
Cranberry Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is just that – it’s simple! With only 3 ingredients and a little bit of patience (and stirring), you can have a flavored syrup to compliment all of your winter cocktail needs. Not only great for cocktails, this Cranberry Simple Syrup is a great way to flavor soda, like a twist on the classic Shirley Temple.
It can also be used to add flavor to icing or baked goods, like cakes and breads. You can use it to make cranberry whipped butter or even a flavored latte! The list goes on and on!
Not to mention the fact that cranberries are full of antioxidants, rich in vitamins and have a ton of health benefits! We love making our own simple syrups. There are so many flavor options and they add just the perfect dash of something extra to a cranberry mojito or your favorite dessert!
Key Ingredients
- water: Fresh and cold.
- granulated sugar: You can also make a brown sugar simple syrup that has a rich taste great for adding in flavor to baking and cocktails.
- fresh cranberries: We use 6 ounces but for a bit more tartness to the syrup, use the entire 12 ounce bag.
How to Make Cranberry Simple Syrup
- First, place a large stockpot over low heat. Pour in the water, granulated sugar, and cranberries. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the sugar dissolves.
- After 10-15 minutes, remove from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool completely. Once the mixture has cooled, pour it through a mesh strainer to remove the cranberry pieces.
- Store the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use. This syrup is great for winter cocktails, baking, and adding flavor to icings, butter, etc.!
Tips and Variations
- You can cover the cranberries while they cook. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the mixture, as it can boil over the sides of the pot.
- This recipe uses fresh cranberries. But you can still make it with frozen ones. Just be sure to thaw and drain them first.
- Our syrup is sweet. So, if you want a more tart cranberry syrup, then add more cranberries and less sweetener while it cooks down.
- Don’t overcook the syrup otherwise, you’ll end up with cranberry sauce. Still good, but a very different dish.
Storage and Reheating
Storage: This Cranberry Simple Syrup will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week stored tightly in a mason jar or airtight container.
Reheating: No need for reheating in this recipe!
More Simple Syrup Recipes to Keep Your Drinks Sweet and Refreshing:
Cranberry Simple Syrup
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 ounces cranberries fresh
Instructions
- Place water, sugar, and cranberries into a large, tall saucepan. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.16 ounces water2 cups granulated sugar6 ounces cranberries
- After 10-15 minutes, remove from heat, and allow the mixture to cool. Once the mixture has cooled, pour it through a mesh strainer to remove the cranberry pieces.
- Store the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use. The syrup is good in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.