Blackberry Simple Syrup

This Blackberry Simple Syrup is made with fresh or frozen blackberries, sugar, and water in less than 15 minutes. Add it to your favorite beverages for an unparalleled flavor boost!

Elevate your next party with a refreshing addition – a blackberry simple syrup recipe that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s perfect for making cocktails, adding to your favorite homemade sodas, or using it as a dessert topping. It is quick and easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.

One of the ways to enjoy this syrup is by making this decadent blackberry mocktail. If you want to try other syrup flavors, try this strawberry simple syrup, blueberry simple syrup, raspberry simple syrup, peach simple syrup, apple brown sugar syrup, cranberry simple syrup, demerara simple syrup, blood orange simple syrup, or brown sugar simple syrup.

To try other fruity cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages, try this strawberry martini, raspberry vodka mule, apple cider martini, raspberry margarita, raspberry martini, blueberry gin cocktail, empress gin cocktail, raspberry mocktail, peach lemonade, apple cider mocktail, peach mocktail, festive cranberry mule mocktail, or blueberry matcha latte.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make: Making simple syrup is easy and requires no special skills – you need to boil water and then simmer so all ingredients can be incorporated.
• Divine flavor: The syrup has a perfectly balanced flavor, with just the right sweetness and a slightly bitter aftertaste of blackberries. It’s so versatile that you’ll want to put it on everything!
• Customizable: While the basis of simple syrup is very straightforward, the variations and customizations are endless, from using different sugar types to adding fresh fruit and herbs to different sugar/water ratios.
• Make ahead: One of the great benefits of this blackberry simple syrup recipe is that it can be made in advance and stored for weeks in the fridge.
• Many purposes: This syrup has many purposes, so find what works best for you. To see some options, read more about this in the How to use the Blackberry Syrup section.

Ingredients

• Blackberries: The star of this recipe. I used fresh blackberries, but you can use frozen as well. Please make sure you use excellent-quality blackberries because they will affect the flavor of the syrup. The ripeness of blackberries will also impact the taste of the syrup.
• Brown sugar: For this recipe, I used light brown sugar. I like using this sugar because it’s not too sweet and has a subtle caramel undertone. I tested this recipe with white granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and turbinado sugar. There is a very slight difference between these syrups.
• Water: I used filtered water to ensure no pollution or other debris.

See recipe card for quantities.

What is Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving granulated sugar in water. It’s commonly used in cold beverages to ensure even distribution of sugar.

The basic recipe for simple syrup requires an equal amount of granulated sugar and water, but you can adjust the recipe to create different flavors.

Substitutions and Variations

• Use different sugar: You can use a few different kinds of sugar when making a simple syrup. The important note is that not all sugar types will have the same sweetness. The white granulated sugar will be the sweetest, while light brown sugar will be less sweet. However, light brown sugar has a slight caramel note to it.
• Adjust the water/sugar ratio: The most common water/sugar ratio is 1:1; although you can make a thicker simple syrup, I suggest using a 2:1 ratio. Two parts sugar to one part water.
• Use frozen blackberries: If you don’t have fresh blackberries, you can use frozen blackberries. There is no need to thaw them. It will only take a little longer to incorporate with other ingredients while preparing the syrup.
• Use different berries: If you are not a fan of blackberries or don’t have them on hand, you can use other berries you prefer, like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
• Add fresh herbs: Adding fresh herbs to your simple syrup can elevate the flavor even more. Try experimenting with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage.
• Double the recipe: If you want a larger quantity of this syrup on hand, you can always double the recipe.

How to Make Blackberry Simple Syrup

Step 1: Add water, sugar, and blackberries to a medium-sized pan and bring it to a boil.

Step 2: Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for at least 15 minutes. Strain into a measuring bowl using a mesh strainer. 

Step 4: Mesh the blackberries using a spoon.

Step 5: Let it cool completely before using or storing in the fridge.

Step 6: Pour the syrup into a glass jar, seal it, and store it in a fridge for up to two weeks.

Pro Tip: With these ingredient ratios and quantities, you will have around 1 ⅓ cups of simple syrup for approximately 6-8 mocktails.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Use a wider pot: When you use a wider pot, it takes less time for the sugar to dissolve. All the ingredients will be easily incorporated as well.
• Let syrup cool down before using: I recommend letting it cool down; otherwise, ice will melt when added to a glass.
• Transfer the syrup using a smaller funnel: To avoid spills when pouring the syrup into a jar, use a small funnel.
• Store syrup in a syrup dispenser: You can store syrup in a syrup dispenser for easier use. This way, you can pour it more quickly, especially when using the metal pour spout.

How to Use the Blackberry Syrup

• Mocktails: One of the great ways to use this syrup is by making this delicious blackberry mocktail.
• Cocktails: Another idea would be to make a cocktail. Follow the mocktail instructions and add a vodka or gin shot. Or add a shot of blackberry syrup to this Moscow mule recipe.
• Drizzle over pancakes, crepes, or waffles: If you make a thicker simple syrup, it would be great for pancakes, crepes, or waffles.
• For iced tea: Add a splash of this syrup to an iced tea.
• For the lemonade: Prepare a refreshing iced lemonade with a splash of this simple blackberry syrup.
• Homemade soda: Add a shot of this syrup and top with club soda to make a homemade soda.

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