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Next post in my holidays series…Holiday Gifting: Homemade Simple Syrups.
Hey, hi! Happy Sunday everyone! Today we’re talking homemade holiday gifts! And as usual these days, I am pretty excited about it. I truly get into the holiday season every single year. But this year feels like I’m embracing it even more than usual. I’m trying to find other ways to connect with the season, as we still have almost no snow here in Colorado. Normally by December we have a thick solid coat of snow on the ground. Everyone in our little mountain town is impatiently waiting for that first big snow fall. Well technically second. The snow from the storm on October 1-2 is long gone…hoping for snow on Monday!
Anyway, back to gifting…in my opinion nothing beats something that you spent time putting together for someone. I mentioned this a bit last week, but I love holiday gifts that are thought out and take a little time to prepare. I think it shows when you put some effort into creating a gift you feel your recipient will love. Plus, I really just love any excuse to get a little crafty and make things look cute. Especially, cute and Christmassy.
I saw this idea of gifting simple syrups in the December issue of Martha Stewart. When I came across the idea I knew I wanted to create some of my own syrups to share with you. It’s such a fun gift idea, and I have so many syrup ideas in my head…choosing just four was really hard.
If you’re new to simple syrups, making them at home is actually so easy to do. And the syrups I’m sharing with you can be mixed into so many different cocktails, the options are really endless.
First, Pomegranate Ginger Syrup. You guys know I am head over heals obsessed with pomegranates. So I wanted to create a syrup that was pomegranate flavored. I love the combo of pomegranate and ginger, so naturally this one needed to come to be. I love using this syrup to make a pomegranate paloma (use as the syrup in the recipe).
Second, Cinnamon Spice Syrup. This is sweet, cinnamony and touched with just a little spice. It’s perfect for a warm cocktail, like yesterday’s naughty and nice toddy (use in place of the honey) or a hot buttered rum.
Third, Vanilla Chai Syrup. Could not be more in love with this. It’s chai tea in a sweet syrup form and it makes mixing up this chai white Russian an easy thing to do any night of the week. This would also be delicious in just about any bourbon based cocktail like this old fashioned or a warm chai bourbon tea.
Forth, Cranberry Orange Syrup. This is December in syrup form. It’s sweet, spiced with winter citrus, and hinted with just a little bit of thyme. I LOVE using it in this cranberry orange margarita (use in place of the sugar) or this cranberry thyme spritz (use as the syrup for the recipe).
A few notes, I prefer to use honey to sweeten my syrups, but I also gave you the option to use sugar. Honey does add a little flavor, but sugar will sweeten the syrups without adding any flavor. Both work equally well. I used glass jars that I found at Target, but any jar with a lid will do. I also finished each jar off with a gift tag to label the syrups and then decorated them festively.
Obviously.
Holiday Gifting: Homemade Simple Syrups
Ingredients
pomegranate ginger simple syrup
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar or honey
- 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced
cinnamon spice simple syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons crushed cardamon pods
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- pinch of crushed pink or black peppercorns
vanilla chai simple syrup
- 2 cups water
- 8 chai tea bags
- 1 1/2 cups honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
cranberry orange simple syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar or honey
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 orange slices
Instructions
pomegranate ginger simple syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring the pomegranate juice, honey (or sugar), and ginger to a boil over high heat. Once boiling simmer 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Let cool completely. Strain out the ginger. Transfer to glass jar. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
cinnamon spice simple syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring the water, honey (or sugar), cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla bean to a boil over high heat. Once boiling simmer 3-5 minutes and then remove from the heat. Add the peppercorns. Let cool completely and then strain into jars. I like to add the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean to the jars as well. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
vanilla chai simple syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the chai tea bags, cover and steep 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the honey. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla. Let cool and then pour into jars. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
cranberry orange simple syrup
- 1. In a medium pot, bring the water, the honey, cranberries, thyme, and orange slices to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes or until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Remove the thyme and orange. If desired, strain out the cranberries. Pour into jars. Keep stored in the fridge for up two weeks (even with the cranberries) or up to 1 month (without cranberries).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Have a great Sunday!
I am SO EXCITED to make these as gifts this year!
I want to include a basic old fashioned recipe to use the vanilla chai syrup in. Besides bourbon and syrup, what else would you put in the drink?
HI! I would add 1-2 dashes of orange bitters (or you favorite bitter), an orange slice and then top the drink off with sparkling water (if desired). Old fashioned are super simple!
Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
I love these syrups, such a gorgeous holiday gift idea!
Thank you Laura!
Hi, Tieghan!
These are stunning. I really love the shape of the jars. Where did you find them?
Thank you!
Alicia
Thank you! I just bought them at target (link is in the post). Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
Could you use dried cardamom?
For which syrup? I am sure it’s fine if you like cardamom. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
What a clever idea! And so many possibilities! I just did a Facebook Live on food gifts. Adding this to my list =)
Great! Thanks Ashley!
These all look so lovely and festive, Tieghan!! If I had to choose just one I would go with the Cranberry Orange syrup… I absolutely love winter citruses!! 🙂
Thank you so much Sarah!
This holiday gift is very nice. I bought a gift for my friends.
Thank you!
Hey Tieghan,
I love these simple syrup jars and think they would make such a cute gift! The chai syrup sounds really nice and would be perfect to have on hand (maybe it would even be good with coffee)? I agree that this is an exciting and joyful month! Maybe you could make gingerbread houses? Or little glass ornaments for more festive things to do? I’m looking forward to break, and baking a bunch of bread, cookies, and making some stews. 🙂 This month always makes me want to make traditional recipes as well, and I’ve been looking at some more traditional pastries and cookies, and getting more excited for the holidays! I hope you’re having a restful weekend and I’m looking forward to more holiday posts. 🙂
Hi! Gingerbread houses is such a great idea, I love making those with Asher! Thank you Kristin!
These are so beautiful. Thank you for the great gift idea!!!
I am so happy you like these Chantee! Thank you!
What a great idea for holiday gifting Tieghan! I LOVE the flavors, especially the Vanilla Chai!!
Thank you Mary Ann!
Woke up this morning to Tieghan in my inbox with your usual awesomeness, but then -surprise…! Who is on the cover of my Sunday Denver Post? Red Gerard, your snowboarding rockstar little brother. Who totally gives props to you in the article too! Haha. Great article and YEA for the Gerard Family for all of your hard work and successes. Will be following Red for sure as he heads into competition leading up to Olympics!
Ah that is amazing! Thank you so much Crystal, I am really proud of him and what he is doing!
Quick question, do you have non-alcoholic recipes for these? I’d like to be able to make them for my friends who do not partake! Also, you’re head over HEELS, right? 😉
I would like the same information. I was thinking it could also be used to sweeten herbal teas.
HI! You can certainly use these syrups for non-alcoholic recipes. Just omit the alcohol from the cocktails I have suggested (or any cocktail recipe) and add a splash of sparkling water in its place! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday ? 🙂
What’s the shelf life of these? THanks, nt
These will keep about a month in the fridge. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday ? 🙂
What a lovely idea! I’ve never made anything like this before, but can tell it would be such a cool and unique gift to give someone, or add into a hamper present for them!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Yes! So glad you like this! Thank you Rebecca!
Hmm i just got a few ideas for syrups so I’m embarking on these this year!!!
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Perfect! I hope you love these Ruth! Thank you!