Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a staple for many alcoholic drinks. Up to this point, I've avoided including it in my recipes, because you either need to make it yourself or else think to buy it the next time you venture down the "Drink Mixes" aisle of Stop & Shop. But it's important, so I think I should provide a couple of recipes for it.

Here are two recipes for simple syrup: a basic one that you can make with just an empty water bottle in your dorm room, and a richer one that requires a stove.

Both recipes make 24 oz of simple syrup.

Basic Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Water (will work if it's hot)

Prep:

• None.

Directions:

• Pour 12 oz (1.5 cups) of sugar and water into an empty water bottle.
• Tightly screw the cap on.
• Shake vigorously until all sugar is dissolved.

If the solution is too...

• Sweet: Add 1.5 oz increments of water and shake.
• Watery: Add 1.5 oz increments of sugar and shake.
• Old: For best taste, I'd recommend using a batch of this syrup for only one night.
• Much: Just halve or quarter the recipe. The trick is that you use equal parts sugar and water.

Richer Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Water

Prep:

• Bring 8 oz (1 cup) of water to a boil.

Directions:

• Pour 16 oz (2 cups) of sugar into the water.
• Once all sugar is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat.
• Let the solution cool completely and thicken, then transfer it into a bottle.

If the solution is too...

• Old: Since this recipe is a bit nicer than the previous one, you can just store this solution in your fridge and re-use it for as long as you'd like.
• Much: You can try halving the recipe, but watch out that you don't boil too much water off.