There are thousands of tea recipes you can make with thousands of teas. If you had to choose only one, this recipe would be a perfect choice. Earl Grey tea simple syrup is not just a regular syrup. It's the most amazing ingredient you should keep in your fridge at all times, especially if you love cooking with tea.
We'll come to reasons a bit later, but let's start with explaining what a simple syrup is.
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup, or sugar syrup, is sugar dissolved in water over low heat. It's simple to make, great for sweetening drinks, and unlike granulated sugar, it will easily dissolve in iced drinks. You can buy one, or you can make one at home. If you ever tried making caramel, candied apples or other sugary treats, you may already know that sugar can be tricky. But thankfully, making a simple syrup really is – simple. It's impossible to ruin it by overheating, and you don't need to have a cooking thermometer.
What is the best ratio for making a simple syrup?
Simple syrup is usually made in ratio 1:1 – 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. However, you can adjust ratios, as long as you are using more sugar than water. 1:1 ratio will give a very thin syrup, so we prefer to use just a tiny bit more. Thicker simple syrup is called rich simple syrup. Still, when making it at home, you don't need to pay attention to exact ratios. The only thing to keep in mind is – never use more water than sugar.
How long do you need to cook simple syrup?
It will take less than 10 minutes to make a simple syrup and another 5-10 to brew the tea. Always use fresh spring of odourless tap water to make tea. You want to make a strong but tasty cup. There's no danger of caramelisation, and it's virtually impossible to ruin. The only thing to keep in mind is that you need to dissolve all the sugar.
What is the best use for an Earl Grey tea simple syrup?
Simple syrup is very versatile. You can use it for flavouring oatmeal, sweetening smoothies, making cocktails, or delicious icy popsicles. You can make tea simple syrup for cakes, or even for salads. Let it cool before storing it in the fridge. It will last for several weeks. And that's exactly what makes Earl Grey a perfect choice. It's flavourful, goes well with many dishes and has a recognizable flavour.
What type of sugar is best for making a simple syrup?
You can make a simple syrup with any type of sugar you want, but the flavour profile will change. Brown sugar has a warmer, nuttier flavour than neutral white sugar. We found that white sugar works well with Earl Grey teas to keep the flavour profile.
What type of tea is best for making Earl Grey tea simple syrup?
Not all Earl Grey teas are the same. Always use the tea that you would normally drink. If you don't like the flavour, don't use it for making simple syrups. Next, your Earl Grey tea must be strong and aromatic. It should also have smaller, broken leaves and fresh, intense scent and flavour.
Can you make a simple syrup with tea bags?
Yes, you can make a simple syrup with tea bags too. However, they must taste good as well. Teas with a more refined, intense flavour will give better results. Follow a simple rule – if you don't like it, don't use it. Replace each teaspoon with 1-1.5 tea bag.
Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup Recipe
This recipe is enough for making about 20 spoons of simple syrup. Since making a new batch is very easy, you don't need to make a large bottle at once. If you want to use it often, double the recipe.
Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup
Equipment
- small saucepan
- jar for storing the syrup
- kitchen scale or a cup
- Kettle
- teapot, strainer or tea filter
Ingredients
- 3 heaped tea spoons of Earl Grey loose leaf tea
- 125 ml of water
- 150 grams of granulated white sugar
Instructions
- Bring fresh water to a boil.
- Steep tea leaves in boiled water for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a small saucepan.
- Add sugar and heat over low fire while stirring.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, boil over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool down.