Blood Orange Simple Syrup
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With its pretty pink color and sweet orange flavor, this blood orange simple syrup is easy to make and perfect for adding sweetness to drinks, baked goods, and more.
Recipe at a Glance: Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- Details
- Preservation method: A byproduct of the candying process
- Storage: Sealed jar in the fridge or freezer
- Storage life: Up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, 3 to 6 months in the freezer
- uses for Blood Orange Simple Syrup
- Add it as a sweetener to cocktails, like this blood orange gimlet, mocktails, or soda.
- Drizzle it over pancakes or waffles.
- Add it to whipping cream while beating to create a flavored whipped cream
- Pour it over cake layers to lock in moisture.
Blood orange simple syrup isn’t really a preserve, but rather a tasty by-product from making candied blood oranges. It’s well worth saving however, as it makes a stunning sweet addition to cocktails or soda water, or try it as a flavorful glaze for cakes, pancakes, or waffles.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Blood oranges–Available in the winter months, blood oranges have a dark red interior and a flavor that is slightly sweeter than traditional oranges. You may also see them labeled as raspberry oranges.
- Sugar–Granulated sugar works best her.
How to Make Blood Orange Simple Syrup
1. Thinly slice the blood oranges using a very sharp knife or on a mandoline.
2. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add the orange slices and simmer gently.
4. Drain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Transfer to a sealed container.
FAQs
Yes. Follow the recipe, simply using your favorite type of orange. You’ll end up with an orange simple syrup that is a pale orange-yellow color with orange flavor.
If your syrup is refrigerated, use it up within 2 weeks. If there is any sign of mold inside the jar or on the surface of the syrup, toss it out. Using a clean, sanitized jar for storing your syrup will help to avoid this.
Storage
Store your finished syrup in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Although the syrup will be safe to consume after 6 months in the freezer, the flavor may be diminished.
Tips & Troubleshooting
- Use a fine mesh sieve for straining so that you don’t end up with orange pulp in your syrup.
- The recipe makes a significant quantity of blood orange syrup. If you are planning to freeze it for future use, freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and store them in a sealed container or plastic bag. Thaw as needed.
Blood Orange Simple Syrup
Equipment
- Mandoline optional
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 medium blood oranges
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (475 ml) water
Instructions
- Using a very sharp knife or mandoline, thinly slice the oranges.
- Combine the sugar and water in a wide saucepan or skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the orange slices in a single layer. Some overlap is fine, but you don't want them to be stacked several slices deep.
- Simmer gently, flipping the slices occasionally, until the rinds of the oranges are translucent, about 1 hour.
- Drain the blood orange syrup mixture through a fine mesh sieve, reserving and drying the orange slices, if desired. Transfer the syrup to a sealed jar or container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Use a fine mesh sieve for straining so that you don’t end up with orange pulp in your syrup.
- The recipe makes a significant quantity of blood orange syrup. If you are planning to freeze it for future use, freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and store them in a sealed container or plastic bag. Thaw as needed.
