Cherry simple syrup recipe made with fresh or frozen cherries, white sugar, and vanilla extract. Ready in 10 minutes. Works in cocktails, iced coffee, lemonade, sparkling drinks, and as a grenadine substitute.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cherry pitter
- Fine-mesh strainer or sieve
- Glass bottle or jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries pitted
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water filtered
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine pitted cherries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently as the mixture warms and the cherries begin to soften and release their juice.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the cherries are completely soft and collapsed and the syrup is deeply colored and glossy. Do not boil hard.
- Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean jar, pressing the solids firmly to extract all juice and flavor.
- Stir in lemon juice. Leave uncovered until fully cool before sealing and refrigerating.
Notes
Pit the cherries before cooking. Unpitted cherries impart a faint bitterness from the pits.
A gentle simmer preserves the fresh cherry aroma.
Press the solids firmly when straining because cherry pulp holds significant flavor and color.