Unlock the Sweet Secrets: Crafting Flavour from Scratch with Our Essential Cocktail Syrups

Ever wondered what the real magic is behind a truly exceptional cocktail? While the spirits are the stars, the supporting cast of ingredients plays a vital role. And for us, the foundation of many of our signature drinks lies in these unsung heroes: our quartet of handcrafted sugar syrups.

We believe that the difference between a good cocktail and an amazing one often comes down to the details. That's why we take the time and care to create each of our syrups in-house, using the best possible ingredients. From the clean, versatile sweetness of classic Simple Syrup to the deep, caramel notes of Brown Sugar Syrup, the vibrant, fruity punch of real Strawberry Syrup, and the luxurious, honeyed richness of our Rich Honey Syrup, these homemade concoctions are the secret weapon to truly elevate your home bar.

Just like our small-batch Landlocked English Rums and Gin 17•09, we pour our passion into every step, ensuring that the flavour shines through. Because, trust us, you really can taste the difference that real ingredients and a little extra care make.

Ready to unlock these sweet secrets for yourself? Here's how we make our four essential cocktail syrups:

1. Simple Syrup: The Clean Foundation

As the name suggests, Simple Syrup is incredibly straightforward, but it's the bedrock of countless cocktails. Its clean sweetness allows the other flavours in your drink to truly shine.

Recipe:

• Mix equal parts of fine caster sugar and boiling water.
• Stir continuously until all the sugar is completely dissolved and the liquid is clear.
• Allow the syrup to cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

2. Brown Sugar Syrup: Adding Depth and Warmth

For cocktails that call for a richer, more complex sweetness, our Brown Sugar Syrup is the answer. It introduces delightful notes of caramel and molasses, perfect for enhancing rum-based drinks and those with spicy undertones.

Recipe:

• Mix equal parts of golden demerara sugar and boiling water.
• Stir continuously until all the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid is clear (it will have an amber hue).
• Let the syrup cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

3. Strawberry Syrup: Capturing Real Fruit Flavour

Forget artificial, cloying strawberry syrups! Ours is made with real fruit, delivering a vibrant and authentic burst of summer flavour that's perfect for Daiquiris, Margaritas, and more.

Recipe:

• Prepare your Simple Syrup as directed above while it is still hot.
• Add chopped fresh or frozen strawberries. The weight of the strawberries should be approximately 8% of the total weight of your sugar and water combined. For example, if you used 100g of sugar and 100g of water (200g total), add about 16g of chopped strawberries.
• Leave the mixture to infuse at room temperature overnight (or for at least 8 hours).
• Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solids.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4. Rich Honey Syrup: Luxurious Sweetness with a Floral Note

For cocktails that need a touch of natural sweetness and a luxurious, velvety texture, our Rich Honey Syrup is a game-changer. Using real honey creates a depth of flavour that sugar alone can't replicate, often with subtle floral notes depending on the honey source (we love using local Home Farm MK honey!).

Recipe:

• Mix real honey and hot water in a 2:1 ratio (double the amount of honey to water). For example, use 100g of honey and 50g of hot water.
• Stir gently until the honey is fully dissolved and the syrup is smooth. Avoid vigorous stirring that can create foam.
• Let the syrup cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Mastering these four essential cocktail syrups is the first step to truly elevating your home bar creations. With a little effort, you can unlock a world of flavour and impress your friends (and yourself!) with truly exceptional drinks. Cheers to crafting flavour from scratch!