Rosemary Simple Syrup

Here’s how to make rosemary simple syrup! This easy DIY recipe adds an herbal evergreen nuance to all your cocktails and mocktails.

Here’s an easy DIY recipe that adds fresh flavor to all your cocktails and mocktails: rosemary simple syrup! This syrup adds just the right herbal evergreen nuance to all your drinks. You’ll be surprised at the amount of flavor that comes from just a few rosemary sprigs! It’s great for fall and winter to add a hint of cozy, but it works in summer too! Here’s what to know about making syrup with fresh rosemary.

Ingredients for rosemary simple syrup

All you need is three ingredients for this herbal simple syrup: and you probably have most of them on hand! This is a great way to use summer herbs at the end of the season. You’ll need:

• Sugar
• Water
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

How to make rosemary simple syrup: a few tips

The concept for simple syrup is well, simple! There are lots of different herbs and flavors you can add. Here is the basic premise for how to make rosemary simple syrup (or jump right to the recipe below):

• Use equal parts water and sugar. All you need is ½ cup of each. Of course, you can make a bigger batch by using more. But we find the 10 tablespoons that this recipe makes is quite enough for a specialty syrup.
• Bring to a simmer with rosemary, then remove heat and sit for 20 minutes. This allows the flavor of the herb to infuse into the syrup. Give it a taste after 20 minutes, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of flavor that comes out! There’s no need to go beyond that (some recipes call for hours of wait time).
• Strain and refrigerate. Strain out the rosemary and you’re good to go! You can store the syrup for 1 month refrigerated.

The sugar to use for simple syrup

Before you start, here’s a breakdown of the types of sugar to use for simple syrup. Keep in mind the following:

• Granulated sugar is the standard option. It works best because it makes a clear-colored simple syrup.
• Organic cane sugar or coconut sugar also work. They are browner in color than white sugar, so they turn the simple syrup a yellow brown color. Note: We used organic cane sugar for this rosemary simple syrup, so you can see it came out with a browner tinge than our mint syrup.
• Brown sugar isn’t usually used for simple syrup because it comes out very dark and has a subtle molasses flavor. You could certainly use it though, and it would pair well with rosemary.

5 drinks to make with rosemary simple syrup

This rosemary simple syrup adds incredible flavor to craft cocktails and mocktails. Since the pine-scented flavor rosemary is often associated with cooler weather, it adds a nice depth to fall cocktails and winter drinks. But it works in summer too! Here are a few ideas for drinks to make:

1. Rosemary Spritzer (mocktail)

Pour cranberry juice and soda water in a glass and stir in rosemary syrup to taste. Spritz with a lemon wedge if you’d like. Easy peasy!

2. Rosemary Fizz

• 2 ounces vodka*
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup
• 2 ounces soda water

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka, rosemary syrup, and lemon juice and stir several times. Pour in the soda water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and lemon wheel. Go to Rosemary Fizz for more.

3. Rosemary Gimlet

• 2 ounces gin
• ½ ounce lime juice
• ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold, then strain into a glass. (See Gin Gimlet for more.)

4. Rosemary Greyhound

• 1 ½ ounces gin
• 3 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 to 2 teaspoons rosemary simple syrup

Fill a glass with ice. Place the gin, grapefruit juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold. Strain it into the glass. (See Greyhound Cocktail for more.)

5. Ginger Bourbon Sour

• 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with a handful of ice and shake until very cold. Strain the drink into a glass. Serve with ice and a cocktail cherry. (See Bourbon Sour for more.)

Got lots of rosemary to use up? Go to How to Dry Rosemary.

More simple syrup recipes

You can make craft cocktails and mocktails with all sorts of simple syrup recipes! Here are some more ideas:

• Mint simple syrup Great for mojitos, gimlets, and the classic Southside.
• Lavender simple syrup This delicate syrup is great in a Tom Collins or a bubbly French 75.
• Ginger simple syrup Adds a zingy flavor to a sour, the Penicillin, and more.
• Basil simple syrup Great for a smash or basil lemonade.

01

Mint Simple Syrup

02

Lavender Simple Syrup

03

Ginger Simple Syrup

04

Basil Simple Syrup

This rosemary simple syrup recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free

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