Ditch the Chemicals in Your Cocktails

I can’t lie – I love a good cocktail.  Especially one that has a variety of flavors and quality ingredients.  At this point in my life, I’d rather drink water than a chemical-laden, artificial-tasting, poor-quality cocktail.

Since so many cocktails include simple syrup as a key ingredient to sweeten the drink, I felt it was critical to figure out how to make a better for you version.  Most recipes use equal parts sugar and water and you just boil until it becomes a syrup.  Easy enough, but I prefer to limit sugar when I can, so I figured I’d give it a try using honey – a little bit better for you and perhaps I could use less.  Turns out it was super simple.  So easy it’s sad that I didn’t start making my own sooner:

Better for you Simple Syrup

2/3 cup honey

1 cup water

Mix honey and water in a pan and heat at medium high, stirring constantly until completely mixed.  About 5 minutes should do it.  Do not boil.  Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

This does change the taste of some of your cocktails, but since I like honey, I think the taste change is for the better.  Later this week, I’ll do a quick Google+ Hangout with recipes for a few of my favorite summer cocktails using this simple syrup.  So, make a batch and join me Friday, May 20th at noon for cocktail hour!