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Simple syrup — the classic cocktail ingredient made by mixing equal parts water and sugar — is so easy to prepare at home that you’d be silly to spend $6 on a store-bought bottle when you can just combine sugar and water at home, with optional flavorings if you like. But what if you don't have access to heat? Don't worry, we’ve got a no-heat simple syrup method that works wonders when you're in a pinch.
Here’s what you’ll need:
A clean jar with a secure lid (avoid canning jars)
Granulated sugar (finer is better; superfine works best)
Hot tap water
A bit of elbow grease
Follow these simple steps:
Pour equal parts of water and sugar into your jar, keeping the jar no more than 2/3 full. Seal it as tightly as you can.
Shake it vigorously for a solid 2 minutes.
Place the jar back upright and carefully take off the lid. Now you're all set to make a mojito, gimlet, or anything else you’re craving!
This technique is for making regular simple syrup, with equal parts sugar and water. Rich simple syrup — a variation with double the sugar (two parts sugar to one part water) — works too, just shake it for about 4 minutes. While the sugar crystals might not fully dissolve in this rich version, it tends to work just fine for most uses.
The syrup won't be as smooth and glossy as the kind you’d make on the stove (compare the quick version on the left with the traditional one on the right, above), but it’s a great alternative when you need simple syrup for cocktails or lemonade at picnics, tailgates, or any other mobile party situations.
