Fresh Berries Make Delicious Fruit Syrups

By Dawnie • June 3, 2011

There are some delicious berries and melons at the markets and stores right now…think outside of your recipe file and try these delicious fruit syrups.  Take advantage of their natural sweetness to sweeten your pancakes, crepes, ice cream and other fruit and veggies!

Homemade fruit syrup is easy and economical, It can also be very nutritious. Save your wine bottles for beautiful containers to fill with richly colored fruit syrups. Use them yourself, or give them away as gifts.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

  • Fruit
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Stainless Steel Pot
  • Strainer

    1. Prepare your fruit. Berries should not need to be rinsed with the exception of strawberries. Cherries, plums or grapes can be rinsed. Citrus foods should be peeled. Just think ahead. If you are planning on using the remaining pulp for a jam or spread, then remove any stems or cores or pits. If you are discarding the pulp, then you don’t have to quite so much preparation.                                           2. Measure the fruit into a stainless steel pot and either crush or chop. Add one cup of water for every 4 cups of fruit. Put over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook until the fruit is soft and has lost its texture. If the fruit is non acidic, like blueberries, add a little fresh lemon juice for tartness.                                               3. Pour the contents of the pot into a strainer set over a large bowl. Pour back into the pot and add sugar, bringing back up to a boil. Skim off any foam that collects and boil for 1 minute.                                                                                           4. Pour into suitable containers and refrigerate. If you wish to preserve it for several weeks or months, use a hot water bath method of canning and seal. For those interested in keeping a little fruit in their syrup, just add a few tablespoons of the pulp back into the hot syrup.

  • Mint And Orange Syrup Over Raspberries

    • simple syrup (see above)
    • 1 small bunch peppermint
    • zest of one orange
    • juice of 1/2 orange
    • pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. Turn down heat on the simple syrup once sugar has dissolved.
  2. Add mint, zest, orange juice, and salt to simple syrup.
  3. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Remove big pieces of mint and drizzle over raspberries. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Thyme And Lime Syrup Over Melon

Ingredients:

  • simple syrup (see above)
  • 1/2 bunch of thyme (still on twigs)
  • zest of one lime
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. Turn down heat on the simple syrup once sugar has dissolved.
  2. Add thyme, zest, lime juice, and salt to simple syrup.
  3. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Remove big pieces of thyme and drizzle over melon. Garnish with a thyme sprig and gooseberries.