Simple Solution - Simple Syrup!

Like any self respecting Southern home, a pitcher of iced tea in our 'fridge is a perennial  fixture. But, up to this point, the tea was only for Chris since I shy away from caffeine and he prefers unsweet tea. I occasionally make a second picture of sweet tea, but it's just a hassle making room for a gallon of milk, juice, and two seperate tea pitchers!

But, after doctor's orders, Chris has cut his intake of caffeine down essentially to nil. He's doing really well cutting it out. Yay Chris! I know his blood pressure will appreciate it. I know he missed his Diet Pepsi, but he's been a real trooper!

Ok, back to tea! We've swapped over to decaf iced tea. But, we're sticking to the unsweet. I have decided to brew it more often and downsized from a gallon to a 2 quart pitcher, fresh brew = cleanest flavor! A side bonus, less 'fridge real estate. ;)

We ALL know stirring sugar into cold tea is a waste of time. :( But, I finally pulled out an idea from way back, I think from Alton Brown's "Good Eats". Make a simple  syrup!! *If you already know all about simple syrup, sorry! Bear with me. 

Simple syrup lets you have a liquid sweetener for any chilled beverages. 

Directions for One pint/2 cups of Syrup:

1 cup water 

1 cup granular white sugar

Set up your double boiler, and mix water with sugar in top bowl. Stir gently with a silicone spatula until the sugar is completely dissolved and remains so. Pour into heat safe jar before transferring. 

Now you and your guests can sweeten up your cold beverage as little or as much as they like! 

Faancy! Any bottle with a nice spout works.

My container :) Cooled in a canning jar first, transfered to this 16 oz pitcher, and store in 'fridge. My pitcher was $1.99 @ Publix. It has a nice tight lid & spout and pours great. :) 

*Double boiler makes this extremely hassle free. You can place any heat safe bowl over a gently boiling water bath. Microwaving is not recommended. If you want larger or smaller quantities just follow a 1:1 water to sugar ratio. 

Simple syrups are often used in mixing cocktails, but you can flavor them to your liking for by steeping fruit and or botanicals in your dissolving syrup. 

You can flavor many beverages starting with a simple hot tea

, hot cocoa, hot or iced coffees, spiced wine, even make non-alcoholic

"spiced wine" with heated 100% grape or cranberry

juice. If you are Interested in exploring, I googled

"flavored simple syrups" 

The uses go past beverages. Bakers often

brush sweet baking items such as breads,

buns, even cookies. If used before baking

the sugar helps the baking brown wonderfully and 

brushing the baking goods after help them stay

moist.

All around great product! Give it a shot! Let me

know how it works for you! :)

Simple Syrup Infusion:  

http://cocktails.about.com/od/infusedsimplesyruprecipe/Infused_Simple_Syrup_Recipes.htm