Tropical pineapple and ginger-infused brown sugar simple syrup will take your cocktails to the next level. Try it with a variety of spirits!
If you've gotten into making more drinks at home over the last year or so, knowing how to make homemade simple syrup for cocktails will likely prove helpful in your pursuit of the best happy hours at home. And in case you didn't know, you can make it with more than just plain ol' granulated white sugar. I'm here to help with my homemade spiced pineapple syrup, which uses brown sugar. Let's get into the details so you can get to sipping!
Easy cocktails you can make at home:
How to Infuse Simple Syrup
You can infuse prepared simple syrup with dried herbs and spices but to use fresh fruit, like we do for this recipe, you'll want to incorporate it into the cooking process. Here's what you'll need to make simple syrup with caramelized brown sugar, juicy pineapple, and spicy ginger flavor notes.
- Brown Sugar - Either dark or light brown sugar will work in this recipe. Just note that dark brown sugar has a deeper, more molasses-like flavor than light.
- Pineapple Juice
- Pineapple Chunks - You can use either fresh or frozen pineapple chunks in this recipe.
- Fresh Ginger
The basic ratio for simple syrup is 1:1 water and sugar, and the same applies to this simple syrup with brown sugar. We're switching up the ingredients a bit to maximize the flavor, though. As you can see, pineapple juice takes the place of water and brown sugar takes the place of granulated sugar. Toss the pineapple and ginger in then everything cooks down to become one. (I like to strain out the pineapple and ginger pieces and enjoy them separately.) Let me just say that this mixture smells heavenly while cooking and will fill up your entire kitchen with yummy, tropical fragrance. This is essentially how to add flavor to simple syrup from the start rather than after the fact.
Tools You'll Need
No fancy gadgets are needed for making homemade brown sugar syrup. Firstly, you'll need a good sharp knife to cut your ginger and pineapple into pieces. Next up, is a simple cutting surface. I recommend this wooden cutting board. I also love this small saucepan for cooking the syrup down because it has a strainer built into the lid and measurement markers on the inside of the pot. Lastly, an airtight container to store extra syrup in. These glass bottles are lovely but you can really use whatever sealed food storage container you have on hand.
Tips for Making Brown Sugar Simple Syrup at Home
- How to store simple syrup? Store this flavored simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last a couple of weeks this way.
- How can I use brown sugar simple syrup in drinks? Use it how you would use plain simple syrup wherever you want to spice things up. My whiskey sipper is a great place to start because the recipe already calls for it! This caramelized simple syrup goes well with gin, rum, cognac, and more!
- How to know when my syrup is bad? Simple syrup, including this brown sugar version, will become cloudy as it goes bad and eventually grow mold.
Let me know if you have any questions at all about making brown sugar simple syrup at home. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Pineapple Ginger Infused Brown Sugar Simple Syrup Recipe
Easy simple syrup with caramelized pineapple and ginger notes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 one-inch knob of ginger
Remove peel from ginger and cut into smaller pieces to expose more of the surface area.
Add brown sugar, pineapple juice, pineapple chunks, and pieces of ginger to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until thickened slightly.
Remove from heat and let syrup cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Video
Zsazsabell says
I would assume that you have to strain the liquid?
Or do you keep the fruit in the syrup?
Jazz says
Hi! Yes, you strain out the fruit.