My favourite syrups that can be used to create spectacular summer sodas and cocktails.
By Paul Lowe
Rose Garden
Rose water is totally underused in cooking. It makes the most delicious syrup mixed with vanilla. Try it in your ice tea as well.
Makes 1 cup syrup, serves 6-8
Syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon rose water
For serving:
Ice
Soda water
A few drops celery bitters
fresh thyme and roses (if you have)
Alcohol suggestion: Gin
1. In a small saucepan combine sugar and water.
2. Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla and rose water, cool.
4. To make the cocktail mix 2-3 tablespoons of syrup with soda over ice.
Garnish with fresh thyme and rose leafs. To make a cocktail simply add 2 cl gin to each glass and serve.
Strawberry
I love this syrup served over shaved ice (and maybe a dash of vodka). Also delicious over vanilla ice-cream.
Makes about 1 1/2 cup syrup, serves 8
Syrup:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
pinch of black pepper
For serving:
Ice
Sliced fresh strawberries
Alcohol suggestion: Dark spicy rum
1. In a small saucepan combine sugar, water and strawberries.
2. Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Cool and use an emulation blander to make it into a smooth syrup.
5. To make the shaved ice run the ice though the shaved ice maker into a cup, top with syrup.
Serve with sliced rest strawberries on top. To make a cocktail simply add 2 cl rum to each glass and serve.
Pink Summer
This is such a fresh summer syrup, has a wonderful colour, and great mixed with sparkling wine for a punch.
The pink peppercorns gives it that little extra.
Makes 1 cup syrup, serves 6-8
Syrup:
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 pink grapefruits, peeled and chopped
10 pink peppercorns
sprig of fresh thyme
For serving:
Ice
7-Up
fresh thyme
grapefruit rind
Alcohol suggestion: Tequila
1. In a small saucepan combine sugar, water, grapefruit, thyme and pink pepper.
2. Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Let simmer for 5 min, cool.
4. Drain the syrup though a sifter, so you just have the liquid.
5. Serve 2-3 tablespoons over ice with 7 Up. Garnish with fresh thyme and grapefruit rind
To make a cocktail simply add 2 cl tequila to each glass and serve.
Angry Viking
A syrup with a kick of spices. Also great to use a liquid for a fruit salad or over ice-cream.
Makes 1 cup syrup, serves 6-8
Syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1″ slice of fresh ginger, peeled
6 black peppercorns
1 lemongrass, sliced
For serving:
Ice
Soda water
Bitters
Alcohol suggestion: Vodka
1. In a small saucepan combine sugar, water and spices.
2. Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Cool and drain.
4. To serve mix 2-3 tablespoons with ice, soda water and bitters.
To make a cocktail simply add 2 cl vodka to each glass and serve.
Norwegian Wood
This syrup is inspired by my childhood spent blueberry picking with my ‘mormor’. The rosemary adds a ‘woodsy” flavour. You can make this syrup using whatever berries you have, fresh or frozen.
Makes 1 1/2 cup syrup, serves 10
Syrup:
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 rosemary stalk
For serving:
Ginger ale
Ice
Rosemary
Alcohol suggestion: Vodka
1. In a small saucepan combine blueberries, sugar and water.
2. Bring to a boil and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Cool and drain.
4. For serving add 2-3 tablespoons into a glass, top off with ginger ale, ice and garnish with fresh rosemary.
To make a cocktail simply add 2 cl vodka to each glass and serve.