5 x Essential syrups for making cocktails | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to make your own cocktail syrups, including simple syrup, raspberry syrup, mint syrup, ginger syrup, and honey syrup.

Key Insights

• 🍹 Making simple syrup on the stove top instead of using the quick method with warm water and shaking it helps extend its shelf life and gives it a slightly sweeter flavor.
• 🍓 Raspberry syrup is made by combining one pint of raspberries with the simple syrup and letting it sit in the fridge for 24 hours. The resulting syrup is bright and delicious, perfect for cocktails like the 1934 cosmo, the knickerbocker, and the clover club.
• 🌿 Mint syrup can be made by adding fresh mint directly into a sugar syrup. This syrup adds fresh, herby notes to cocktails like a mojito, whisky smash, or mint julep. It's best used fresh and will last up to a week.
• 🥕 Ginger syrup can be created by blending young ginger with a one-to-one sugar syrup. This syrup works well in dark and stormies, mules, and mojitos, providing a spicy twist to the cocktails.
• 🍯 Honey syrup is made by combining three parts honey with one part hot water. This syrup allows the honey to mix easily into cocktails and can be used in recipes like the bee's knees, gold rush, and penicillin.
• 🥃 The video highlights the importance of weighing ingredients accurately when making syrups to achieve the desired flavor and consistency.
• 🍳 Different methods for making syrups are showcased, such as using a juicer for ginger syrup or a muslin bag for straining out bits of ginger.
• 🌸 Various cocktail recipes are suggested for each type of syrup, encouraging viewers to experiment with different flavors and combinations.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important to weigh the ingredients when making simple syrup?

Weighing the ingredients when making simple syrup ensures accuracy and can help extend its shelf life. This is important because simple syrup is a crucial ingredient in many cocktails.

Q: Can frozen raspberries be used to make raspberry syrup?

Yes, frozen raspberries can be used to make raspberry syrup, especially if fresh berries are out of season or if you're on a budget. However, it may result in a slightly different texture.

Q: How can mint syrup be used in cocktails?

Mint syrup can be used in various cocktails such as mojitos, whisky smashes, and mint juleps. It adds fresh and herby notes to the drinks and can be a substitute when fresh mint is not available.

Q: Why is young ginger used for ginger syrup?

Young ginger is preferred for ginger syrup because it is juicier and more fragrant compared to older ginger. It is easier to extract the juice from young ginger, making the syrup more flavorful.

Q: Why is honey syrup diluted with water?

Honey syrup is diluted with water to make it easier to mix into cold drinks. Pure honey tends to coagulate and not mix well in cold liquids, so adding a small amount of water helps in blending the honey smoothly.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The vlogger demonstrates how to make simple syrup on the stove-top, emphasizing the importance of weighing ingredients for accuracy and increasing shelf life.

• The vlogger then shows how to make raspberry syrup using fresh or frozen raspberries, allowing it to sit for 24 hours for flavor extraction and straining out the raspberries.

• Next, the vlogger shares a mint syrup recipe using fresh mint leaves, without cooking them, for a fresh and aromatic flavor.

• The vlogger follows with a ginger syrup recipe using young ginger, blended with water and added to one-to-one sugar syrup for a spicy twist in cocktails.

• Lastly, the vlogger demonstrates how to make a honey syrup by diluting honey with hot water for easier mixing in cold drinks.