There’s nothing like waking up on a cold winter day with a warm mug of homemade raspberry syrup hot chocolate.
This delightful treat is easy enough to whip up at home, but it takes more than just fresh raspberries to create this tasty drink.
What Is The Difference Between Raspberry Syrup And Other Fruit Syrups?
Raspberry syrup has a distinct flavor compared to most other types of fruit syrups, which tend to taste similar.
The main reason why you might want to try making this type of syrup is because it comes out tasting so much better than what you would get by using commercially made syrup.
If you have never tried making your own syrup before, then it may seem a little intimidating to think about how to go about doing it.
However, once you learn a few simple tips and tricks, it’ll be easier than you think!
The ingredients
You will need :
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup lemon juice (or white vinegar)
- 4 cups fresh raspberries
- an ice bath for chilling down the mixture after straining.
How to make raspberry syrup from scratch
In order to make raspberry syrup, you will first need to prepare an ice bath.
Put two quarts of water into a large pot.
Add one quart of boiling water to the water in the pot.
Once the water begins to cool down slightly, add three tablespoons of honey to the pot.
After five minutes, strain the liquid through cheesecloth into another large container.
Place the container into the ice bath until all of the heat dissipates.
Once the mixture is cooled, put the strained liquid back into the same pot and bring it to a boil.
While the syrup is heating, wash four cups of fresh raspberries thoroughly.
Add the sugar and water to the boiling liquid.
Stir well to combine.
Lower the temperature and stir regularly while continuing to cook the mixture.
Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the pan from the stovetop and let sit for 30 seconds.
Then, pour the mixture into a colander set inside a bowl.
Pour the mixture back into the pan and place it back onto the stovetop.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil again.
Continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
Pour the mixture into a bowl placed directly underneath a clean kitchen towel.
Allow the mixture to drip for several hours.
When the dripping stops, refrigerate the syrup overnight.
How Do You Make Raspberry Syrup From Scratch?
Raspberry syrup is made by boiling down sugar and water until all the liquid has been boiled off and only the natural sugars remain.
The result is an intensely flavored syrup that tastes great drizzled over ice cream, pancakes, French toast, or any dessert where sweetness is desired.
You can also add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or even alcohol (like rum) if you want to create something fancier.
These additions will change the flavor profile of your syrup slightly, so keep that in mind when making changes.
As always, taste-test before adding anything else to ensure that you don’t end up with a bitter syrup instead of a sweet one!
Ingredients for Raspberry Syrup
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- Water
- Fresh raspberries
- Optional: Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla beans, alcohol, etc.
Method for Making Raspberry Syrup
To start out, fill a medium saucepan about two-thirds full with water and place over high heat.
Once the water starts to boil, add 1/4 cup of the sugar into the pan.
Stirring constantly, let the mixture dissolve completely while continuing to stir frequently.
When all the sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from the stovetop and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.
Pour the cooled sugar solution through a fine mesh strainer and discard the solids found inside.
Return the clear syrup to the pot and repeat steps 3 and 4 until all the sugar has been added and the syrup is ready to serve.
While waiting for the first batch of syrup to finish cooling, wash and hull a pound of fresh raspberries.
Place them directly into the still-warm syrup and continue stirring them around until they have started to melt and release their juices.
Add additional berries if needed to cover the bottom of the pan completely.
Allow the syrup to simmer gently for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then pour it into sterilized glass bottles and seal tightly.
Store in a dark cabinet away from direct sunlight for up to 6 months.
What Is The Best Recipe For Raspberry Syrup?
Raspberry syrup is made by simmering sugar and water until they become thick and runny.
The resulting liquid is then strained through cheesecloth and dried before being stored in glass jars or plastic containers.
You may also strain and freeze the syrup if desired. To thicken the syrup further, add gelatin or cornstarch.
Homemade Raspberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
(makes about 2 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup water
½ teaspoon lemon juice
4-5 drops red food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Cook the sugar and water over medium heat until boiling point.
Add the lemon juice and stir well.
Let sit 5 minutes.
Strain the mixture into another pan and let cool completely.
Pour through cheese cloth to remove any seeds.
Store in an airtight container.
How Long Does Raspberry Syrup Last?
Rasberry syrup will keep its flavor well after opening, so if you have leftover syrup, it should be refrigerated within five days.
Syrups made from fresh berries, however, should be consumed soon after they’re opened because their natural sugars will start degrading over time.
The longer you leave raspberry syrup unopened, the less flavorful it becomes.
The shelf life of raspberry syrup
Freshly squeezed berry juices contain about 40% sugar by weight.
However, when the juice has had time to ferment, it loses much of this naturally occurring sugar and turns into alcohol and acetic acid.
These two components combine to form vinegar (which also contains acids), which makes raspberry syrup taste sour.
If left exposed to air and light, raspberry syrup may develop mold.
To prevent this, store it in an opaque container in a dark place where it won’t get too warm.
For example, a refrigerator would work fine, but not a cupboard under the sink.
How Can You Use Raspberry Syrup In Cocktails?
Raspberry syrup makes an excellent addition to any cocktail.
You can add it to drinks such as caipirinhas, margaritas, mojitos, sangrias, and even martinis!
But where should you start when deciding what kind of cocktail to serve?
Here are several different recipes to help you decide which one will work best for you.
Mojito Recipe #1 – Classic Mojitos
The classic Cuban cocktail has been around since before Cuba was colonized by Spain.
The original version included rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and sometimes Angostura bitters.
Today, there are countless variations on how to mix these ingredients together.
To make a simple mocha frappuccino, combine 1 part milk (or almond milk), 2 parts vanilla ice cream, and 3 tablespoons of instant espresso powder.
Mix thoroughly then top off with whipped cream and a drizzle of raspberry syrup.
This is the perfect way to enjoy something sweet while enjoying the sun out in the backyard.
Margarita Recipe #1 – Simple Margaritas
One of the most popular adult beverages made from tequila, agave nectar, and lime juice is the margarita.
While traditional versions may contain salt, lemon or orange slices, and water, most modern-day versions don’t include those ingredients.
Instead, they’re usually served straight up with crushed ice.
To keep things interesting, try adding a splash of raspberry syrup to each glass.
Sangria Recipe #1 – Sangria Cocktails
If you love fruity flavors, here are two recipes to get you started.
Both versions call for red wine, strawberries, and white grapefruit soda.
However, if you prefer to stick with the classics, feel free to swap out the strawberry puree for a little bit of frozen berries.
For the first recipe, place 5 ounces of red wine into a large bowl along with ½ cup of sliced strawberries.
Stir until all pieces have been coated in red wine.
Add ¼ cup of white grapefruit soda and stir again.
Serve over ice.
For the second recipe, prepare the same amount of red wine mixture that you prepared above.
Place 4 cups of diced white grapes into another bowl.
Once the wine has absorbed all of the liquid, pour the mixture back into the same bowl.
After stirring once more, transfer the contents back into the serving vessel.
Top with additional grapefruit soda, if desired.
What Are Some Other Uses For Raspberry Syrup?
Raspberry syrup is great for any kind of dessert where you want something sweet, but not too heavy.
For example, if you have guests coming over, serve them all their own cups of raspberry syrup for breakfast, with plenty of whipped cream, strawberries, and maybe even a little bit of meringue!
Or, what about making a batch of these decadent mini raspberry pies?
They’re so simple to put together, and they taste amazing.
The possibilities really are endless when using this versatile flavor enhancer.
Flavored ice creams
If you love flavored ice creams, then why wouldn’t you also love flavored syrups?
You can easily add a few drops of different flavors into plain old vanilla ice cream, which makes for an excellent sundae topping, especially during the summer months.
Fruit-flavored drinks
A lot of people enjoy drinking smoothies mixed with different kinds of fruits, such as bananas, peaches, pears, apples, etc., but there’s no reason why those same ingredients couldn’t go into a pitcher full of fruit juice instead.
Simply mix one part pureed fruit with three parts water, and voila – instant fruit cocktail!
Syrups for baking
It doesn’t matter how many desserts you bake, there will always seem to be room for another one.
If you find yourself with extra time, try adding a cup of sugar, two tablespoons of flour, and a tablespoon of cornstarch into a small pot of boiling water.
Once the mixture thickens, pour it into a bowl and let cool.
When the liquid has cooled completely, stir in one pint of frozen berries (you could also substitute regular canned berries), and refrigerate until ready to use.
Use this flavorful “syrup” right away in muffins, scones, or bread pudding.
Coffee drinks
You know you shouldn’t add milk to your coffee because it dilutes its natural benefits, but did you know that it’s possible to add other things to give it a boost?
One way to get some added health benefits is by blending one part ground flax seeds with two parts water, and then stirring them into your daily brew.
Flax seed helps keep blood flowing well while keeping cholesterol levels low, and this combination may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
How Do You Store Raspberry Syrup?
Raspberry syrup should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
The longer raspberry syrup sits, the less tart it becomes.
If possible, try not to refrigerate your syrup after opening it, since it will become even more concentrated over time.
Once opened, keep it sealed tightly in an airtight container until needed.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Raspberry Syrup?
Raspberry syrup has a slightly higher sugar content compared to honey or maple syrup because it contains both fructose and glucose sugars (which makes it sweeter).
However, its low calories per serving make it an excellent substitute when looking for something sweet without adding extra fat or calories to your diet.
Is Raspberry Syrup Good For You?
Raspberry syrup is made by boiling down whole berries until they become jam-like.
This process concentrates their natural sugars and produces an intensely flavored liquid.
The result is a richly colored syrup that tastes great over ice cream, yogurt, or even in smoothies.
You can also add it to baked goods such as muffins, scones, cookies, cakes, and breads.
When choosing which fruits to use to make raspberry syrup, look for those that have large seeds so that the resulting syrup has a nice pink color.
Avoid peaches because their juice will turn the syrup brown rather quickly.
If you don’t want to go through all the work of making your own syrup, there are plenty of commercial brands available at most grocery stores.
Health benefits of raspberry syrup
If you enjoy drinking raspberry syrup straight out of the bottle, then you may not be aware of its health benefits.
For example, one serving contains less sugar (15 grams) compared to regular soda drinks (24 grams), yet both beverages contain about the same amount of calories.
The added fiber found in raspberries helps keep blood glucose levels steady after eating, while the antioxidants help protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Antioxidants are molecules that prevent cell deterioration by neutralizing harmful chemicals that cause cancer and heart disease.
How Do You Make Raspberry Syrup Healthier?
Raspberry syrup is one of the healthiest recipes out there because it contains no refined sugar or artificial ingredients.
While most recipes call for sugar (which isn’t necessarily bad if you’re looking to cut back), adding honey will help to balance out the tartness.
If you want something even sweeter, try combining it with maple syrup.
You could also add a few drops of vanilla extract to give the mixture an extra kick.
Equipment
- 1 Sauce pot
Ingredients
- 370 g Fresh Raspberries
- 360 ml water
- 100 g Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- In a sauce pot, cook the water and raspberries over high heat.
- When it begins to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer.Remove any foam, then boil the mixture for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat after 20 minutes, then filter it using a fine mesh strainer.Add the sugar and boil the liquids once more.
- Until all the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes, stir occasionally.Allow syrup to reach room temperature before bottling itIt can be preserved in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.