Make some special cocktails for you and your friends with Rosemary Simple Syrup.
Tonight, we take a look at another indispensable element to an unforgettable cocktail, rosemary simple syrup. The addition of the fragrant, woodsy herb elevates the viscous, sugary-sweet ingredient, bringing new and wondrous flavors to whatever you’ve chosen to mix it into. At Christmastime or over the summer, the fresh and piney aroma of rosemary gets me equally hungry and thirsty.
A few years back, our little apartment complex received a nice makeover with some new landscaping. And as luck would have it, a plethora of rosemary bushes were planted, some of them right outside our front door and windows. There’s always a hint of the intoxicating herb wafting through the air, and the living room. It’s even more pronounced after it rains. The best part is, whenever we want or need to cook with rosemary, there’s an abundance of the freshest sprigs right outside.
One of the best things that we make with it is rosemary butter, which is exactly what it sounds like. Usually, around Thanksgiving is when we start cooking with the flavorsome greenery, but when I started digging into making Simple Syrup infused with the ingredient, I became more than curious. Pretty easy to make, and with everything I needed already available, I whipped up a batch and popped it in my fridge.
Now comes the fun part… Mixing cocktails with my homemade rosemary simple syrup.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use With Rosemary Simple Syrup?
In doing a little field research at my home bar, I discovered that I really, really enjoyed mixing gin and bourbon drinks with rosemary simple syrup. Vodka worked nicely too, but I felt that the herbal element came on a little too strongly. With a juniper-forward London Dry gin, like a Bombay Sapphire, the rosemary felt right at home, nestling in quite comfortably with the other infusions. Bourbon, too, made a great companion. The spicy caramel and vanilla notes coupled with the rosemary flavor to create a unique finish on each sip.
Ingredients
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Place the rosemary sprigs on a cutting board and gently bruise them with the back of a knife to release their oils. Transfer the sprigs into a small saucepan and add the water and sugar.
- Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Once boiling, remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the rosemary. Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate and use within one week.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE IS USED?
Find a resealable glass bottle to store your rosemary simple syrup in, something that’ll fit in your fridge without taking up too much space.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET FRESH ROSEMARY?
Well, you can plant some outside and always have some on hand. You can also shop at your local gardening center or plant store, and get a small potted bush. Farmers’ markets are a great place to get what you need. Your local grocery will also have rosemary available in the produce section.
Some Fine Cocktails To Make With Rosemary Simple Syrup
Now that you’ve made yourself some fine and inviting rosemary simple syrup, you’re probably wondering what you should make first with it. While a few drink recipes exist that specifically call for the use of rosemary, many of the recipes listed below only need their regular simple syrup to be swapped out with tonight’s concoction.
- Rosemary Paloma – This grapefruit-flavored tipple brings the fresh, herbal taste of rosemary to the party.
- Ramos Gin Fizz – Try this citrusy New Orleans classic with some rosemary simple syrup.
- Bee’s Knees – Add some of tonight’s recipe to the honey syrup for a sweet and herbal treat.
- French 75 – Gin and champagne combined with rosemary make for a refreshing cocktail.
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