Blackberry simple syrup adds a dash of summer sweetness to any drink or dessert! This recipe showcases ripe, juicy blackberries, balanced perfectly by a touch of sugar. Add it to sodas, lemonades, teas, ice cream treats, salad dressings, and more!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Homemade is best: Say goodbye to store-bought syrups with additives. This is as natural as it gets. Plus, it’s much more economical!
- Just 3 ingredients: You just need blackberries, sugar, and water for this blackberry simple syrup recipe.
- Easy to prepare: Just blend, strain, and heat the mixture. It’s that simple!
- Versatile: Whether it's added to a cocktail, mocktail, dessert, sauce, or marinade, this blackberry simple syrup is a complete game-changer.
What is blackberry simple syrup?
Blackberry simple syrup is a type of flavored simple syrup made by infusing dissolved sugar and water with juicy blackberries, much like cardamom syrup or lavender simple syrup.
The taste is deep, yet refreshing and juicy, with a beautiful deep purple hue that's all-natural! While blackberry simple syrup is commonly used to enhance cocktails, it also pairs brilliantly with desserts and even savory dishes and sauces.
With just sugar and water as the other ingredients, the blackberries' natural sweetness perfectly shines through. I like to add mine to soda water, but you can also mix it into bubble tea or drizzle it over oatmeal and pancakes.
Is blackberry simple syrup vegan?
Blackberry simple syrup might seem completely vegan-friendly at first glance, but there is one sneaky ingredient you need to watch out for! Some sugar brands use bone char in the refining process to make it white.
However, you can find organic granulated sugar that is vegan-friendly nowadays. Alternatively, you can opt for vegan-labeled sugar or use organic, unrefined cane sugar.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Blackberries: You can use fresh or frozen blackberries for this recipe. Just make sure the frozen berries are thawed before blending them with the water. Or, you can try substituting them with raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry blend.
- Sugar: Use any organic or vegan-certified granulated sugar. You can also use coconut sugar or organic brown sugar for a more pronounced flavor.
- Water: Use filtered water for the best blackberry simple syrup flavor.
How to make blackberry simple syrup
- Step 1: Start by blending the blackberries and water in a personal blender.
- Step 2: Pour the blended mixture through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Using the backside of a spoon, push through as much juice as possible, then get rid of the seeds and pulp (or save it for a smoothie recipe).
- Step 3: Heat the blackberry mixture until it’s bubbling, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer and add sugar until the consistency is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Remove the syrup from the heat and transfer it to an airtight glass bottle or mason jar. Let it cool off for 10 minutes before placing it in the refrigerator.
How to use blackberry simple syrup
After your blackberry simple syrup has cooled, you can mix it into your favorite desserts and drink recipes. Here are just a few of my favorite options:
- Oat milk whipped cream or frosting.
- Hot or iced coffee or tea lattes.
- Cocktails like brambles, mojitos, or martinis.
- Blackberry-infused iced teas, lemonades, and soda waters.
- Tarts, cakes, muffins, and cookies.
- Sorbet, ice cream, and shaved ice.
Storage & Reheating
For any leftover blackberry simple syrup, follow these quick and easy storage tips:
- Fridge: Keep homemade blackberry simple syrup in the fridge for up to a month. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container, like a mason jar.
- Freezer: Once the syrup has cooled, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready for more.
- Reheating: If the syrup becomes thick after chilling in the fridge for a few days, heat it in a pan over low heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
Variations
- Mint: Add fresh mint leaves or mint extract while simmering.
- Spiced: Mix in a cinnamon stick or cloves for a spiced flavor.
- Citrus: Lemon or orange zest makes such a great addition!
- Herbal: Rosemary or thyme are perfect herbs to flavor blackberry simple syrup.
- Ginger: Mix in grated ginger for a warm, slightly sweet kick.
- Berries: Blend in other berries for a mixed berry simple syrup.
Top tips
- Fresh berries: Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
- Strain properly: Strain the blended blackberry mixture to ensure there are no seeds or pulp left behind. This will help you achieve the smoothest syrup consistency.
- Adjust the heat: You don’t want to over-thicken or burn the syrup. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Let the syrup thicken: You want the syrup to coat a spoon lightly before removing it from the heat. It will also thicken as it cools.
- Shake before use: Natural settling can occur, so give the bottle a good shake before using your blackberry simple syrup to ensure an even flavor distribution.
FAQ
Of course! If you use frozen blackberries, just make sure they're fully thawed before blending them to prevent having to add more water than is necessary.
If your syrup is too thick, gently reheat it and add a splash of water. You can continue adding water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Absolutely! This blackberry simple syrup works perfectly for baking. Just make sure to adjust for the amount of extra liquid in the recipe.
More syrup recipes
If you enjoyed this blackberry simple syrup recipe, be sure to check out some more flavored simple syrups like these:
- Brown Sugar Syrup: A 2-ingredient recipe full of deep, rich molasses flavor.
- Cardamom Syrup: A sweet, spiced recipe perfect for the holiday season.
- Lavender Simple Syrup: Simple syrup infused with aromatic and floral flavors.
- Lychee Syrup: Full of sweet, fruity, and tropical flavors.
Blackberry Simple Syrup
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup blackberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
METHOD
- Blend blackberries and water using a personal blender.
- Strain the blackberry juice into a mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Use a back side of a spoon extract out all the syrup. Discard all seeds and leftover pulp. Note: It comes out to about ⅔ cup of blackberry juice after straining.
- Heat the saucepan with blackberry juice and sugar over medium heat. Once it starts to bubble, then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer.
- As the blackberries cook for a couple minutes, then bring the heat down to a gentle simmer over low-medium heat before adding sugar.
- Stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar and the blackberry juice slightly starts to thicken and it can lightly coat the back of a spoon.
- Once the syrup can lightly coat the back of a spoon, then remove from heat and transfer it to an air-tight glass bottle or mason jar. Let the syrup cool off for 10 minutes before placing it in the refrigerator.
NOTES
- Fresh berries: Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
- Strain properly: Strain the blended blackberry mixture to ensure there are no seeds or pulp left behind. This will help you achieve the smoothest syrup consistency.
- Adjust the heat: You don’t want to over-thicken or burn the syrup. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Let the syrup thicken: You want the syrup to coat a spoon lightly before removing it from the heat. It will also thicken as it cools.
- Shake before use: Natural settling can occur, so give the bottle a good shake before using your blackberry simple syrup to ensure an even flavor distribution.
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