If you’re a fan of cherries like I am, this Cherry Simple Syrup is about to become a staple in your kitchen! Whether you’re looking to elevate your cocktails, add a sweet touch to your favorite desserts, or create a unique twist for your breakfast pancakes, this cherry simple syrup is the perfect recipe to have on hand. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch that’s bursting with cherry flavor and color.
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❤️Why you will love this recipe
- Easy to Make: With just three ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a delicious syrup ready in no time.
- Versatile: This syrup is perfect for cocktails, mocktails, desserts, pancakes, waffles, and more.
- Natural Ingredients: Made with fresh or frozen cherries, sugar, and water, it's a healthier alternative to store-bought syrups with artificial flavors.
- Vibrant Color: The rich red hue of the syrup adds a beautiful splash of color to any dish or drink.
- Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the sugar content to suit your taste, making it as sweet or as tart as you like.
- Preserve Summer Flavors: This syrup stores well in the fridge, and can even be frozen, so you can always have a taste of cherry on hand.
- Great for Gifting: Homemade cherry syrup makes for a thoughtful and delicious gift.
- Kid-Friendly: Perfect for making homemade cherry sodas or drizzling over ice cream for a kid-approved treat.
Whether you’re stirring it into lemonade or drizzling it over a bowl of vanilla ice cream, this cherry syrup will elevate anything it touches.
🥣Equipment
Before you start, make sure you have these key tools on hand to ensure your cherry simple syrup comes together easily.
- Cutting Board and Knife: To cut and pit the cherries.
- Medium Saucepan: For cooking the syrup.
- Spoon: Use a wooden or plastic spoon to stir the mixture.
- Fine Mesh Strainer: Necessary for straining out the solids to create a smooth, liquid syrup.
- Glass Jar or Bottle: For storing the finished syrup in.
📝The Ingredients
This recipe only calls for three simple ingredients, but they pack a punch in terms of flavor and sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar works best for dissolving evenly and providing the perfect sweetness. However, you can play with other options like brown sugar to give the syrup a different flavor profile.
- Water: Use clean tap water or filtered water.
- Cherries: Whether you go with sweet cherries or tart ones, both work great in this recipe depending on your flavor preference. Both fresh and frozen cherries work for this recipe.
👩🏻🍳How to make cherry simple syrup
Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. Please read the recipe card for the full instructions.
- Pit fresh cherries or remove frozen cherries from the freezer.
- Combine cherries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, mashing the cherries to release flavor.
- Strain the mixture into a jar, discarding solids.
- Let the syrup cool completely, then store in the fridge.
🍴Serving suggestions
This cherry simple syrup is incredibly versatile! Here are a few delicious ways you can use it to brighten up drinks, desserts, and more:
- Cocktails: Add to your favorite cocktails like a cherry margarita, mojito, or whiskey sour.
- Mocktails: Combine the syrup with lemon or lime juice and soda for a delicious non-alcoholic drink.
- Iced Drinks: Stir a spoonful into lemonade or iced tea for a bright, summery flavor. Even iced coffee would work
- Sodas: Create homemade cherry sodas by using natural fermentation like the ginger bug method.
- Desserts: Pour it over ice cream, yogurt, or cheesecake for a sweet, tangy finish.
- Breakfast: Pour over pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a fruity twist
🍒Variations
This recipe is only a simple base recipe. You an switch it up with these fun variations:
- Spiced Cherry Syrup: Add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves with a splash of vanilla extract while simmering for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Vanilla Cherry Syrup: Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract after straining for a sweet, fragrant twist.
- Citrus Cherry Syrup: Add a strip of lemon, lime or orange peel during cooking for a citrusy hint.
- Herb-infused syrup: Try adding a sprig of rosemary or thyme for a unique twist.
🥄Storage
To keep your cherry simple syrup fresh and ready to use whenever you need it, here are a few storage options:
- Fridge: Store the syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
- Freezer: Pour the syrup into ice cube trays and freeze for longer storage. Defrost the cubes as needed. This will keep the syrup good for up to 3 months.
- Canning: If you’d like to store the syrup longer, you can use proper canning techniques to preserve it.
💭Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
A: Yes, frozen cherries work perfectly for this syrup, just thaw them slightly before using.
Q: How long does cherry simple syrup last?
A: It can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I use this syrup in hot drinks?
A: Absolutely! It’s delicious in warm teas and coffee. You can try it in other warm drinks and let me know how it was.
Q: Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
A: Yes, but keep in mind it may affect the syrup’s thickness and shelf life.
Q: What can I use instead of white sugar?
A: You can use other sugars like brown sugar or substitute with honey, agave syrup, or another sweetener, but it may slightly alter the flavor.
Q: What can I do with the leftover cherry solids?
A: The leftover cherry solids are great as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream. You can also blend them into smoothies or use them as a filling for pastries.
Q: Can I leave the cherry solids in the syrup?
A: Yes! If you prefer a more textured syrup, you can skip straining the solids.
Q: How can I make the syrup thicker?
A: Simply simmer it longer to reduce it further, or use a bit less water for a thicker consistency.
Q: Is this syrup gluten-free?
A: Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
More summer recipes to try
📖 Recipe
Cherry Syrup
Equipment
- Cutting Board & Knife
- Saucepan
- Spoon
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Glass Jar or Bottle
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 1½ cups Cherries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- First, prepare the cherries by pitting them if using fresh. Frozen cherries can go straight into the saucepan after thawing slightly.1½ cups Cherries
- Combine the cherries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. As the cherries soften, gently mash them with a spoon to release more flavor.1 cup Sugar, 1½ cups Cherries, 1 cup Water
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar. Discard the cherry solids or save them for another use.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely before sealing it in a jar or bottle and storing it in the fridge.
Notes
- Cherry type: Both sweet and tart cherries work for this recipe, depending on your flavor preference. Tart cherries give a tangier taste, while sweet cherries provide a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: You can reduce the sugar to your taste, but keep in mind this may affect the syrup’s thickness and shelf life.
- Straining: Strain the syrup for a smooth consistency, or leave the cherry bits in for a chunkier texture.
- Leftover solids: Don't discard the strained cherry solids! Use them as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or blend them into smoothies.
- Storage: Store the syrup in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
US Customary conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
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