Making syrups with distilled water - Tiki Drinks and Food

ET Ebb Tide Member Toronto Joined: Mar 16, 2013 Posts: 20	ET Ebb Tide Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 6:37 AM I have noticed many of the books mention various homemade syrups (sugar, cinnamon, etc) will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 weeks or so. I am making them with distilled water and find they last many Months in the fridge no problem...do not notice any spoiling at all. Recommended ?
H howlinowl Tiki Socialite Port Saint Lucie, FL Joined: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 335	H howlinowl Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 7:21 AM Distilled water couldn't hurt. How much syrup do you make in a batch? Between cocktails and using the simple and cinnamon syrups for lemonade, mine usually last less than a week. I make a cup of each, keep them in the fridge in empty beer bottles, using Niquil measuring cups as makeshift caps (handy, I just use them to measure what I need for a glass, rinse and replace it on top. I've heard that I could store them outside the fridge since I go through it so fast, but since I can't close them up airtight, I'm afraid I might get ants. howlinowl
W wizzard419 Member Joined: Jul 10, 2013 Posts: 341	W wizzard419 Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 9:24 AM The advice would still be the same as your tap water should still have no pathogens or bacteria in it, plus you boil it (unless you're doing the cold method). The only way to extend the shelf-life would be to add alcohol to the finished product, so if you want to pour some vodka in that can help.

ET

Ebb Tide Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 6:37 AM

I have noticed many of the books mention various homemade syrups (sugar, cinnamon, etc) will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 weeks or so. I am making them with distilled water and find they last many Months in the fridge no problem...do not notice any spoiling at all. Recommended ?

H

howlinowl Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 7:21 AM

Distilled water couldn't hurt. How much syrup do you make in a batch? Between cocktails and using the simple and cinnamon syrups for lemonade, mine usually last less than a week. I make a cup of each, keep them in the fridge in empty beer bottles, using Niquil measuring cups as makeshift caps (handy, I just use them to measure what I need for a glass, rinse and replace it on top. I've heard that I could store them outside the fridge since I go through it so fast, but since I can't close them up airtight, I'm afraid I might get ants.

howlinowl

W

wizzard419 Posted posted on Sat, May 24, 2014 9:24 AM

The advice would still be the same as your tap water should still have no pathogens or bacteria in it, plus you boil it (unless you're doing the cold method).

The only way to extend the shelf-life would be to add alcohol to the finished product, so if you want to pour some vodka in that can help.