Place the water and sugar in a pot. Bring the
mixture to a boil and watch as the sugar dissolves. Do not stir.
Some cooks choose to add flavoring to their
simple syrups. The correct time to add flavoring is before the water comes to a
boil.
Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool to
room temperature. If you would like to flavor the syrup with alcohols like rum
or amaretto, add the alcohol after the syrup has cooled to room temperature.
Minted
Simple Syrup Makes
about 1 1/2 cups. Use this refreshing syrup to sweeten a variety of beverages.
1 1/2 cups packed fresh mint leaves
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Chop mint. In a saucepan bring sugar, water and mint to a
boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Simmer syrup, undisturbed, 2 minutes.
Pour syrup through a fine sieve, pressing hard on solids, and cool. Syrup
keeps, covered and chilled, 2 weeks.
