The deep, smoky, and sweet flavor of smoked simple syrup is ideal for elevating your cocktail game. It is equally popular during summer cookouts and BBQs, is simple to make at home, and goes well with a variety of cuisines!
So, how exactly do you produce smoked simple syrup? Making smoked simple syrup is a straightforward process. Simply combine water and sugar in a pan and smoke it for 2 hours at 180°F. Continue reading to learn more about smoked simple syrup, including complete instructions on how to create it at home, how it is used, and much more!
What Is Smoked Simple Syrup?
You must comprehend simple syrup before we can discuss smoked simple syrup. Simple syrup, also known as sugar syrup, is a mixture of water and sugar that is most frequently used to sweeten cocktails, iced drinks, lemonades, and other beverages.
Compared to normal sugar, which takes significantly longer to dissolve, it is much easier to combine into cold beverages because it is in a liquid form. But this syrup isn’t just for beverages. It can be used as a glaze and to sweeten baked items and desserts.
Simple syrup may be made at home in a matter of minutes with just two common ingredients, or you can buy it in stores, online, or both.
When it comes to smoked simple syrup, it is simply simple syrup that has been smoked using a smoker, as the name suggests. It is simple to create at home and is the ideal accent to any beverage.
How To Make Smoked Simple Syrup
Smoked simple syrup is the ideal choice whether you want to serve it with something savory or sweet. If you want to amp up the flavor even more, feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices!
Ingredients
- Water
- Sugar
Instructions
Preheat your smoker to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the smoker heats up, put cold water and granulated sugar in a big baking pan in a 1:1 ratio.
Whisk it up quickly.
When the pellet grill is ready, set the baking dish in the smoker for 2 to 212 hours.
Every 30 minutes, whisk the syrup to dissolve the sugar and absorb more of the smoky flavor.
Remove the baking dish from the grill once the syrup has finished smoking and set it aside to cool.
When the syrup has cooled to room temperature, strain it through a fine mesh screen to remove any ash or smoke residue.
Put the smoked simple syrup in an airtight jar and use it to make wonderful cocktails and other drinks.
Notes
To produce the syrup, use cold water since smoke sticks to it better. The heat from the smoker will help the sugar melt and dissolve with the water, so don’t worry if it isn’t completely dissolved when you put it in. For different flavors, change the sugar or wood pellet.
Variations Of Smoked Simple Syrup
You may prepare smoked simple syrup in a variety of ways by adding your favorite ingredients to it while it is smoking or cooling.
Among the most popular versions are:
Simple Ginger Smoked Syrup While smoking, add 1 cup of sliced fresh ginger to the syrup. Before storing, strain.
Simple Vanilla Smoked Syrup After the syrup has cooled, add 1 to 2 tablespoons vanilla extract.
Simple Mint Smoked Syrup While smoking, add 1 cup of fresh, finely chopped mint leaves. Before storing, strain.
Simple Spiced Smoked Syrup. Before smoking, add a couple of whole cloves and two cinnamon sticks. Before storing, strain.
Other flavor infusers are as follows:
Orange or lemon slices Basil, rosemary, and sage
Which Sweeteners To Use For Smoked Simple Syrup
Simple syrup (and smoked simple syrup) are often made with white sugar, but you can experiment with different types to spice things up:
For instance, substituting brown sugar for white sugar will result in “dark smoked simple syrup,” which has a richer, molasses-like flavor.
White sugar can also be substituted with natural sweeteners such agave, maple syrup, and honey. Use 1/2 cup of honey for every cup of water while using it. Even though working with maple syrup might be challenging because of its sometimes-dominant flavor, give it a try.
For a keto-friendly substitute that has a consistency similar to ordinary simple syrup, we advise using allulose.
Which Pellets To Use For Smoked Simple Syrup
With so many various types of wood available, it can be difficult to select the best one for smoking!
Because preparing simple syrup usually involves producing something sweet (such as a drink), we recommend using pecan, maple, cherry, or apple wood pellets:
Despite being a hickory species, pecan pellets provide softer smoke and a mild flavor with overtones of almonds and vanilla. Perfect for slow cookouts, the longer the syrup is allowed to soak in pecan smoke, the stronger the flavor.
Maple wood pellets are mellow and sweet, making them an excellent choice for smoking simple syrup.
Cherry pellets give the syrup a delicious and sweet flavor with a dash of acidity.
Apple pellets have a somewhat sweeter flavor than cherry pellets.
That being said, you may also experiment with a pellet blend and see how that turns out!
Uses For Smoked Simple Syrup
Smoked simple syrup may be used in savory and sweet dishes in so many creative ways!
Here are a few of our preferred applications for smoked simple syrup:
using it in place of simple syrup to give your favorite drinks, such an Old Fashioned or a Mojito, a smoky flavor.
applying a glaze to oven-roasted or grilled meats that are ideal for barbecues.
replacing liquid smoke with while making homemade barbecue sauce.
How To Make A Cocktail With Smoked Simple Syrup
Making a cocktail is perhaps the most common usage for smoked simple syrup because you can create so many various kinds of beverages with it and give them a good kick. Here are a few well-known smoked beverages that you should learn to prepare right away so you can wow your friends the next time they visit with your bartending prowess!
1. Margarita Smoked
How to Make a Smoked Margarita with Smoked Jalapeno Simple Syrup
Begin by producing a smoked simple syrup with jalapeno slices infusion.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the smoked jalapeno simple syrup, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and ice.
Shake it! Shake it!
Rub a lime slice over the rim of a glass, then roll it in kosher salt before filling it with ice.
Pour the margarita into the glass and top with a lime wedge and a jalapeño slice.
2. Cosmopolitan Martini smoked
To make a Smoked Cosmopolitan Martini with smoked orange simple syrup, follow these steps:
Begin by preparing a smoked simple syrup with orange rind infusion.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the smoked orange simple syrup, vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and ice.
Shake it! Shake it!
In a martini glass, strain the martini and garnish with orange zest.
3. Tom Collins, smoked
How to Make a Smoked Tom Collins with Smoked Basil Simple Syrup
Begin by preparing a smoked simple syrup with basil leaves.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the smoked basil simple syrup, gin, lemon juice, and ice.
Shake it! Shake it!
Fill a tall, narrow glass halfway with ice.
Fill the glass halfway with club soda, then strain the drink in. Garnish with a lemon slice and basil.
Mojito Smoked
How to Make a Smoked Mojito with Smoked Mint Simple Syrup
Begin by preparing a smoked simple syrup using mint leaves.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the smoked mint simple syrup, lime juice, rum, and ice.
Shake it! Shake it!
Fill a glass halfway with ice and strain in the mojito. Garnish with mint and a wedge of lime.
Related Questions
We figured you might have a few more questions now that you are fully informed about smoked simple syrup and how to prepare it.
How should you store smoked simple syrup?
For up to four weeks, store your smoked simple syrup in the fridge in an airtight container. The syrup should ideally be used within a week if taste enhancers are being used.
Can you freeze smoked simple syrup?
Smoked simple syrup can be frozen for up to 3 months to extend its shelf life. The syrup should be poured onto an ice tray and allowed to freeze completely. When that is done, put them in a freezer-safe bag and use them as required.
Are smoked cocktails healthy?
The same health hazards, such as addiction and liver damage, exist with smoked cocktails as with non-smoked cocktails. Their flavors are the only thing that set them apart.