Easy Cherry Simple Syrup Recipe
Homemade Cherry Syrup is a perfect way to use up those fresh summer cherries! This easy simple syrup recipe is made with fresh cherries and can be used to make cherry iced tea, cherry lemonade, or elevate your mocktails with a fresh fruity flavor!
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What is a simple syrup?
Well, to put it simply, simple syrup is basically water and sugar (using a 1:1 ratio), heated up together until dissolved. Simple syrups are commonly used in cold drinks, such as, iced teas, mocktails, or lemonade. The reason it’s primarily used in cold drinks is because if you were to try to sweeten a cold drink with just plain sugar, it would not dissolve, and you would just end up with sugar granules at the bottom of your beverage, and nobody wants that. So using the simple syrup is an easy way to sweeten a drink!
Why you’ll love this cherry simple syrup:
Homemade Simple Syrups are the best, and here is why:
- Fresh ingredients: This will always and forever be a big one for me. Making anything homemade you have the ability to fresh and simple ingredients. Which leads me to my next point…
- Artificial sweeteners: In our home, these are off limits. We avoid them at all costs, and when you make things at home, it makes it a lot easier to do so. When you are buying store bought syrups, they are filled with complete junk, artificial sweeteners being one of them. Plus, with the combination of fresh cooked cherries and pure cane sugar, you get a perfectly sweet syrup. No need for artificial sweeteners!
- Extra flavor: You can customize this recipe in so many different ways! This is always a reason I love making things at home. It’s such a fun and simple way to be creative in your kitchen. Keep reading and see some of my favorite ways to customize this delicious cherry syrup with just a couple extra ingredients!
- Easy & effortless: This is such a simple recipe. It really takes no time or effort, and great option if your’e also looking to save money!
How To Make a Thicker Syrup
Fresh cherry syrup is a great way to elevate mocktails, homemade Italian soda, lemonade, and sweet tea. However, for a syrup suitable for pancakes, French toast, and/or other desserts, I recommend thickening the simple syrup.
The best way to thicken the syrup is to add a small amount of gelatin to the mixture.
- To thicken the syrup, bloom one teaspoon of powdered gelatin in one Tablespoon of cold water.
- Meanwhile, return the strained simple syrup to a small pot and heat to simmer.
- Once simmering, remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin mixture until fully dissolved. As the syrup cools, it will thicken to a richer corn-syrup-like consistency.
Some people also use cornstarch, but I prefer the gelatin method for added gut health benefits!
Homemade Cherry Simple Syrup can be used immediately or stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Refrigerator: Once the syrup has been strained, transfer syrup to an airtight container or jar. Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Shake well, before using.
- Freezer: Simple syrup can also be frozen. Once the syrup has cooled completely, transfer the syrup to a freezer safe container. The syrup can be frozen for 3 months up to a year for the best results. A simple way to do this would be freezing in an ice cube tray, then storing in a freezer bag.
What kind of cherries can I use?
You can use any type of cherries – sweet cherries, rainier cherries, dark cherries, sour cherries, bing cherries, etc. Whichever cherry you prefer, they will all give you a fresh cherry flavor!
Customize your simple syrup
FEEL FREE TO ADD DIFFERENT FRUITS LIKE BERRIES OR CITRUS – SPICES LIKE CINNAMON OR GINGER – HERBS LIKE THYME OR ROSEMARY – FLORAL LIKE HIBISCUS OR LAVENDER – THE COMBINATIONS ARE ENDLESS, BUT HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE WAYS TO SWITCH IT UP!
- Cinnamon cherry syrup: Add a cinnamon stick to the cherries while you cook them on the stove. Perfect on French toast!
- Cherry mint syrup: Add some mint leaves to the finished cherry syrup while it’s still warm and let infuse for 30 minutes, then remove the mint leaves.
- Vanilla cherry syrup: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your syrup after adding the sugar.
- Cherry blackberry syrup: Add 1/2 cup of blackberries in with the cherries, sugar, and water.
- Cherry basil syrup: Add some fresh basil leaves to the finished cherry syrup while it’s still warm and let infuse for 30 minutes, then remove the basil leaves.
- Cherry honey syrup: Use your favorite local honey instead of sugar.
- Pineapple cherry syrup: Add 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple in with the cherries, sugar, and water.
Ways to serve this Cherry Simple Syrup:
- Take all of your favorite summer drinks up a notch! Add to club soda, orange juice, lemonade, teas, etc. to add a fun flavor during the summer months!
- Thicken the homemade syrup and add it to some ice cream, pancakes or French toast.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Use a cherry pitter, pit your cherries, and then slice in half
- Add the sliced , sugar, and water to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Let the mixture boil, stirring often for 2-3 minutes. You want to stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool. It will thicken as it cools.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature for roughly 30 minutes. Letting the cherries sit helps bring out the cherry flavor.
- Next, pour the mixture through a sieve or fine mesh sieve.
- Transfer the cherry simple syrup into a clean glass jar, or airtight container, and discard the remaining pulp.
- Store the syrup in a sealed jar (I like using a mason jar), refrigerated, for 3-4 weeks.
Tips
- If you don’t have fresh cherries, frozen work as well.
- You can use honey, or maple syrup in place of the sugar.
- To bring out more of a cherry flavor, you can use a potato masher, to squeeze out more cherry juice. Squeeze out as much juice as possible.
Cherry Simple Syrup
Homemade Cherry Syrup is a perfect way to use up those fresh summer cherries! This easy simple syrup recipe is made with fresh cherries and can be used to make cherry iced tea, cherry lemonade, or elevate your mocktails with a fresh fruity flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Use a cherry pitter, pit your cherries, and then slice in half
- Add the sliced , sugar, and water to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Let the mixture boil, stirring often for 2-3 minutes. You want to stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool. It will thicken as it cools.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature for roughly 30 minutes. Letting the cherries sit helps bring out the cherry flavor.
- Next, pour the mixture through a sieve or fine mesh sieve.
- Transfer the cherry simple syrup into a clean glass jar, or airtight container, and discard the remaining pulp.
- Store the syrup in a sealed jar (I like using a mason jar), refrigerated, for 3-4 weeks.
Notes
- If you don’t have fresh cherries, frozen work as well.
- You can use honey, or maple syrup in place of the sugar.
- To bring out more of a cherry flavor, you can use a potato masher, to squeeze out more cherry juice. Squeeze out as much juice as possible.
I’m so excited for you to try this homemade cherry syrup recipe! It’s such an easy recipe and I hope it’s something you come back for every cherry season! Let me know in the comments if you stick with the simple recipe or decide to customize it. Remember to share this recipe with you family and friends! Enjoy!
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