Spruce Tip Simple Syrup
Spruce tip simple syrup is a tasty way to enjoy the tender young tips of spruce trees. It boasts a bright, citrusy flavor with a hint of pine and is perfect for adding a refreshing twist to cocktails, desserts, and more.
Servings: 5 cups
Calories: 462kcal
Equipment
- medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 3 cups spruce tips
- 3 cups cane sugar
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Remove any brown husks from the spruce tips and ash spruce tips in a colander. Roughly chop the spruce tips. This helps release some of the flavor.
- Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil until the sugar is fully dissolved, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chopped spruce tips and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat source and let the syrup cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Cover the pan and refrigerate for 12-24 hours, or until the syrup has your desired flavor level.
- Strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer. Transfer the syrup to glass jars.
- Store in the fridge. See below for additional notes on storage.
Notes
- Young spruce tips are ideal for a clean, fruity flavor. Older spruce tips can be used, but the flavor profile will differ.
- As with any wild plants, it's important to identify the plant correctly and also not to take more than you need. When removing spruce tips, don't remove all of the tips from one tree, don't remove them from the tops of trees, and don't take them all from one area of the tree to allow for future growth.
- I like to use unbleached cane sugar for making syrup. You can also use white sugar if that's your preference. To give to syrup a more rich flavor, brown sugar can also be used.
- For a more intense flavor, you can increase the amount of spruce tips you use and also let them steep in the syrup longer.
- Spruce tip syrup can be stored in a glass jar in the fridge for 4-6 months. You can also pressure can or water bath can it for longer storage. However, I find that the syrup loses some of its flavor when it is heated.
Nutrition
Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 120g | Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 120g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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