5 Best Simple Syrup Substitutes That You Can Try
One can control sugar syrup but cannot hate it! Are you here searching for the best simple syrup substitutes? If you are, we have a lot to tell you about it. Simple syrup is nothing but a high concentration of sugar in water. It might sound simple, but this simple recipe can change the whole face of a dish.
People might have different reasons to search for simple syrup substitutes. You might be out of it, or you might be cutting sugar out of your diet. Whatever be the reason, we have collected some of the amazing simple syrup substitutes that you can try!
Do you prefer an organic substitute or a non-organic one? If you are confused about the substitutes for sugar syrup, think no more because we have already done the legwork for you. Maple syrup, Agave syrup, Honey, stevia syrup, and refined sugar are some of the best simple syrup substitutes.
If you are a sweet tooth like me, you may not need an introduction to simple syrup. Most of my readers may be familiar with the crystal sugar we use every day. But some of them might be new to the simple syrup. Therefore before exploring syrup substitutes, let’s read about simple syrup.
This section will discuss simple syrup, its uses, health benefits, and many more. This section will help you have a clear idea about our key substitute and thereby help you find the best substitute.
What’s In The Post
Quick Peek: Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is a sweet viscous liquid with an intensely sweet taste from sugar. It’s often used as a sweetener in a number of dishes like cocktails and juices, as you’re probably aware. This is something every household will have. If you are a sweet person, you’ve probably added a tablespoon or more of this sugar syrup over your favorite dish!
Due to its availability and ease of making, it is widely used all around the world. This section will cover everything there is to know about simple syrup. It will be revealed what it is, how to use it, and how it tastes and feels. Continue reading to find out more!
What Is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is commonly known as sugar syrup. It is nothing but just water and sugar. If you ever want to add sweetness to any of your dishes, simple syrup will be the most convenient one to use. Simple syrup is usually used to add sweetness to beverages like cold coffee, ice teas, or mocktails.
However, it also works great for food like salads and pancakes. For our convenience, we usually buy simple syrup from the market. But sometimes you can try making one by yourself. It is so easy and economical that you’ll have second thoughts about buying it next time.
Describing Simple Syrup: Flavor And Texture
Simple syrup is made from water and sugar. It has a viscous consistency and a texture like molasses. Since it is a highly concentrated form of sugar, it has an intensely sweet taste. If you plan to add it to any dish, just a teaspoon or two will serve the purpose.
It also has a sticky texture, and therefore it just goes well with solid food as well. If you are making a cake or cookies, you can just pour it over them for a sweet taste.
Types of Simple Syrup
As we have discussed, simple syrup is made from just two things- water and sugar. There are three different varieties of simple syrup, depending on the sugar used. The type of sugar used gives a peculiar color, flavor, and texture to each syrup.
The first one is Demerara syrup. It is made from light brown sugar called demerara sugar. It is much more flavorful than the normal simple syrup and has a brown hue. It can be added to a variety of beverages and foods. However, refrain from using this variant if you don’t want a different color to the food.
The second one is Gomme syrup or Gum syrup. It is made by adding gum of sub-Saharan tree sap to a sugar and water mixture. It has a soothing and silky texture. It emulsifies the mixture and allows high sugar to water concentration without crystallization. Gum syrup is very high in sugar content. At the same time, it tastes a little different from the normal simple syrup.
The third one is bar simple syrup. It is prepared without boiling the mixture. It is made by shaking an equal amount of sugar and water in a container until it is completely dissolved. It has a more watery consistency than the simple syrup. It lacks the flavor of the simple syrup.
Uses of Simple Syrup
Simple syrup can be used in a variety of ways. It can be added as a sweetener in juices or cocktails. It can be added to solid food like cakes. It is much better than crystal sugar as it easily gets blended into various dishes.
However, the simple syrup can be made into simply delicious syrups by adding some essence. For example, you can just add a pineapple or orange essence to simple syrup. In this way, you’ll never be out of welcome drinks. This flavorful simple syrup is also great for cocktails.
Try adding cinnamon or cardamom powder while making simple syrup. This mix works great for milk beverages like coffee or tea, cocktails, and mocktails. It gives a refreshing feeling to your drink. This can also be used as a topping over your chocolate cookies or cinnamon rolls.
Simple syrup is such a versatile ingredient that its uses cannot be restricted to any particular section. Let your imagination go wild, and you’ll have many simple syrup recipe ideas.
Simple Syrup On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
The simple syrup has a very similar nutritional content to normal sugar. As you can imagine, it is extremely high in calories and sugar content.
Sugar nowadays has a villainous figure. We constantly hear people talking against sugar and the health issues it can cause. I am not defending sugar here. Sugar and simple syrup are bad for health. But whatever it is, it is consumed in a very large amount all around the world.
As per the health report, women can safely consume 5 to 6 teaspoons of sugar syrup. Whereas men can take up to 9 teaspoons a day. Anything more than this can lead to adverse health issues. Overconsumption of simple syrup can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Why Use A Substitute For Simple Syrup?
This question has probably entered your mind at least once. While this is an excellent question, there are a few reasons why you might not want to use Simple syrup.
Simple syrup is super unhealthy. It cannot be used by people suffering from diabetes or who just want to cut sugar out of their diet. In these cases, a stand-in will be useful.
Furthermore, why go to the store if you already have any alternatives? To save time, you may always employ a substitute. These are all compelling reasons to find a replacement.
I believe I’ve addressed every aspect of simple syrup. Let me now get to the crux of the article: the best simple syrup substitutes. Continue reading to find out more information about them!
5 Best Simple Syrup Substitutes
Simple syrup is something we all rely on for a taste of sweetness in our food. In its absence, it is wise to look for some amazing substitutes. This section will discuss some of the best simple syrup substitutes you can try!
1. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener. It has a burnt caramelized sweet taste with a nutty undertone. It has a thick consistency. It has a very similar flavor profile to simple syrup. Hence it is regarded as one of the most convenient simple syrup substitutes.
Maple syrup is native to North America. Maple syrup is obtained from the sap of the maple tree. It is then heated to remove the water content. Therefore maple syrup has a very thick consistency. Like simple syrup, it works great with both beverages and solid food.
Maple syrup has a milder sweet taste than simple syrup. When adding maple syrup as a simple syrup substitute, you can follow a 1:1 ratio. After that, you can add more according to your preference.
2. Agave Syrup
Agave syrup is commonly known as agave nectar. It is also called maguey syrup. It has a mild sweet taste and thin consistency. It is, therefore, one of the best simple syrup substitutes.
Agave syrup, obviously, is made from the agave plant. Nowadays, it is gaining huge popularity as it is a natural alternative to sugar syrup. It comes in light, dark, amber, and raw varieties. Light agave syrup has a very mild taste and light consistency. Amber agave has a caramel flavor and medium consistency. Dark agave syrup is bold. It has a dark color and a strong sweet caramel taste to it.
Agave primarily has fructose sugar and is a healthy option for simple syrup. While substituting, add an equal amount of agave syrup as that of simple syrup in the recipes.
3. Honey
Honey is another good simple syrup substitute. It has a brown color and thick consistency.
Honey has a lot of varieties depending upon the bees that collect it. Generally, honey has a color variation from light brown to that dark brown. Its taste also varies according to its color. Usually, dark-colored honey has a much stronger taste than sweet-colored one.
Since honey has much more consistency than sugar syrup, it will be great to use honey syrup instead of honey while using it as a substitute for simple syrup. While substituting, add a teaspoon of honey in place of two teaspoons of simple syrup.
4. Stevia Syrup
Stevia has a natural sweet taste and can be employed as a good simple syrup substitute. Stevia is a hundred to two hundred times sweeter than normal sugar. Also, stevia is free from carbohydrates and calories. Therefore we can label it as a healthy alternative to simple syrup.
But the problem is not everyone will like its taste. Even though it is sweet, it has a minty undertone. While some people love the taste, some find it disgustingly bitter. Therefore before substituting it for simple syrup. Do a taste test.
5. Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is the raw material from which we make simple syrup. Therefore it works as a great simple syrup substitute as well.
As its name suggests, powdered sugar has a powdery consistency. It can be used in all the food that demands simple syrup. However, you might need to stir a little longer to get that sweet taste in beverages. While substituting, add two teaspoons of powdered sugar in place of one teaspoon of simple syrup.
Short Recap Of The Best Simple Syrup Substitutes
Are you still undecided about which of these substitutes you should choose? Don’t worry; here’s a little clip that may assist you in escaping this difficult predicament.
Most appropriate: Maple syrup is the most acceptable simple syrup substitute since it can practically match the flavor and taste of simple syrup.
Most Acceptable: Honey is the most available one. Even if they don’t have the same flavor as simple syrup, they can be used safely for various dishes. It also works great with baking as well as garnishing.
Best flavor combination: When honey is employed, the best flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found the answers you were seeking now that we’ve reached the end of the post. Simple syrup is a versatile ingredient that may add a new dimension to various meals.
Although most of the listed ingredients can be used as simple syrup substitutes, there is no precise match for simple syrup. However, if you know of any other alternatives to the ones listed above, please share them in the comments area.
How To Substitute The Above Mentioned Ingredients For Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup Substitutes
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- Maple Syrup
- Agave Syrup
- Honey
- Stevia Syrup
- Powdered Sugar
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use instead of simple syrup?
Maple syrup, Agave syrup, Honey, stevia syrup, and refined sugar are some of the best simple syrup substitutes.
Q. Can you just use sugar instead of simple syrup?
Yes. You can simply substitute a teaspoon of simple syrup with 2 teaspoons of refined sugar.
Can you use honey in place of simple syrup?
Yes. While substituting, add a teaspoon of honey in place of two teaspoons of simple syrup.
Is simple syrup or agave better for margaritas?
Yes. Both simple syrups, as well as agave, go well with a margarita. However, simple syrup dissolves faster.
Is agave the same as simple syrup?
No. Agave is obtained from agave tree whereas simple syrup is made from sugar crystals. However, both are great sweeteners and can be used in a variety of ways.