How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?

5/5 - (1 vote)
How Long Does Simple Syrup Last

One of my go-to sweeteners, particularly for iced beverages, is good old-fashioned simple syrup.

I like it since it dissolves completely in either hot or cold beverages.

In spite of the fact that it is an exceptional sweetener, you need to be careful about it going bad since there is a chance that it may make you sick.

During our summer conferences held outside of New York in the rural parts of Texas, as well as when I was responsible for making our coffee, my supervisor demonstrated to me how to create the simple syrup.

Coffee served over ice was a welcome reprieve from the sweltering heat of the summer.

Because ordinary sugar does not dissolve completely in iced beverages, the person in charge of my shift prepared simple syrup instead.

My iced beverages have never been better than they are now since I make my syrup at home rather than purchasing it.

Even though I was shown how to prepare the simple syrup, I was not instructed on how to store it or how long it should be used before being discarded.

If you make simple syrup at home, you’ve undoubtedly found yourself in a situation where you’ve created more of it than you required and questioned if you should throw it out or save it away for later use.

Because of this, you need to be worried about how long it can be preserved for, as well as how long simple syrup can be kept.

Continue reading to find out the answers.

What’s Simple Syrup?

It is a sugar solution in water that is used to sweeten drinks, and it is offered in bottles at liquor shops as well as the liquor sections of grocery stores. Simple syrup is also known as sugar water.

You also have the option of making simple syrup in the comfort of your own home.

In order to prepare the simple syrup, you will need a saucepan, sugar, and water in proportional amounts.

After the solution has cooled, pour it into a container, cap it securely, and then store it on the stove over a low to medium heat for one or two minutes.

The fact that simple syrup may be quickly dissolved in liquids of varying temperatures is the primary advantage of using it.

It is difficult to sweeten iced beverages with normal sugar since the sugar does not distribute itself uniformly.

In addition to that, the syrups give your beverage a taste similar to caramel.

The process for making the syrup is identical to that used to make caramel syrup; the only difference is that the caramel syrup is cooked for a longer period of time.

How Long Does Simple Syrup Last? Does Simple Syrup Go Bad?

If kept for a very long period or if it is not properly preserved, simple syrup may eventually spoil.

The shelf life in the pantry is anything from one to two weeks.

This is due to the fact that heat is known to be effective in eliminating microorganisms.

Since heat has a sterilizing effect, it is important to use it while producing the syrup so that it has a longer shelf life.

When you keep the syrup in the pantry, you should keep it in a bottle that has a lid that fits it firmly.

However, after being stored for two weeks in the pantry, the syrup is no longer suitable for human consumption.

Increasing the frequency with which the container is opened raises the risk of bacterial infection.

Instead of opening the bottle of syrup, scooping it out, or putting it into the beverage, I suggest using a syrup pump instead.

If you plan on opening the bottle of syrup on a frequent basis, you should only use it for one week.

When stored in the refrigerator, the syrup has a shelf life of six months.

The method of preparation also plays a role in the product’s very extended shelf life.

A syrup that has been adequately sterilized via the use of heating and that has achieved the requisite consistency will have a longer shelf life than a syrup that has not been properly sterilized.

In order to prevent the growth of germs and extend the product’s shelf life, it is essential to ensure that the container is properly sealed.

The syrup will have a longer shelf life if the container in which it is stored is maintained well sealed. On the other hand, if the container is opened several times, the syrup’s shelf life will be greatly shortened due to the increased risk of bacterial contamination.

You may extend the shelf life of simple syrup that has been frozen for an additional six months by keeping it in the freezer.

You won’t be able to make frequent use of the syrup if you freeze it, but freezing it is an option, particularly if you won’t be returning to the residence for an extended period of time.

For instance, when I am going to be away from home for a lengthy period of time, I will often freeze my simple syrup. Doing so extends its shelf life since it is more difficult for germs to thrive in freezing environments.

Because the syrup is only used on a very seldom basis, the bottle is always kept firmly sealed, eliminating any possibility of bacterial contamination.

It is best to divide the syrup into smaller containers and freeze them so that you may defrost just the amount of syrup that you need at any given time.

How to Tell if Simple Syrup is Bad?

If any of the following occur, it is possible that the simple syrup has gone bad:

  • It has the appearance of being overcast. A simple syrup will often have a transparent look; but, if it is allowed to remain on the fire for an extended period of time and begins to caramelize, it may take on a somewhat darker hue. A syrup that has developed a hazy look is likely contaminated with germs and should not be consumed.

If you create the syrup at home, it is essential to take note of the first hue while it is still fresh so that you can recognize when the color begins to change and take appropriate corrective action.

  • If the syrup reeks, it should not be consumed since it is spoiled. An excellent method for determining whether or not a food item has gone rotten is to smell it. If you have a keen sense of smell, you will be able to detect very quickly when the syrup has lost its freshness.

  • If the syrup has bubbles, then it should not be consumed. If you notice that your syrup has a lot of bubbles that were not initially there, this is a sign that some chemical reactions are taking place. The fresh syrup does not have bubbles; if bubbles are formed when pouring it into a container, they are minimal; however, if you notice that your syrup has a lot of bubbles that were not initially there, this is an indication that some chemical reactions are taking place. It is possible that the syrup is fermenting, and as a result, releasing Carbon (IV) Oxide gas; nonetheless, you should not consume such syrup.

  • The consistency of the syrup shifts from liquid to solid as it cools. The consistency of the syrup should remain liquid at all times; if you see that it has solidified, this is a sign that it has gone bad.

FAQs

Does simple syrup go bad in the fridge?

When kept in the refrigerator, simple syrup with a ratio of 1:1 should be good for one month, while simple syrup with a ratio of 2:1 should be good for six months. Mold may start to grow on cold-process syrups in as little as half that amount of time.

What is the shelf life of homemade simple syrup?

The shelf life of simple syrup ranges anywhere from two weeks to as long as six months, depending on the syrup’s consistency and how it has been stored. The least amount of time it may be kept is two weeks. In the event that it is heated up in your kitchen: A sugar-to-water ratio of two to one in a rich simple syrup gives it a shelf life of up to six months. A regular simple syrup with a ratio of 1:1 will keep for about one month.

How can you tell if simple syrup is bad?

When simple syrup has reached its expiration date, you will notice that it has started to get murky. When correctly produced, simple syrup is transparent in appearance. The syrup should be discarded if it has any cloudiness at all since this indicates the presence of germs that are beginning to multiply. If the syrup has been sitting out for a time, it may begin to give off an unpleasant odor.

When should you throw out simple syrup?

A simple syrup with a sugar to water ratio of 1:1 will only retain its flavor for around one month. But a rich simple syrup that has a ratio of sugar to water that is equal to 2:1 may be stored for around six months before it begins to fog up.

How long can you keep homemade simple syrup in the fridge?

The refrigerator is the appropriate storage location for homemade simple syrup. It has a shelf life of up to one month when properly maintained but can only be kept for that long.

How much vodka to preserve simple syrup?

The combination may have a longer shelf life and be preserved better if alcohol is added to it. To make a syrup that will keep for at least a few months, boost the alcohol-by-volume (abv) content of your syrup up to around 15% by adding a spirit that does not carry any flavor, such as vodka. One quart of syrup calls for an amount of alcohol that is equivalent to five fluid ounces, or little more than half a cup.

How do you preserve simple syrup?

The shelf life of simple syrup may be extended to many months if one gallon of simple syrup is treated with one ounce of sodium benzoate and one-fourth of an ounce of citric acid. It is necessary to add each component to the syrup in its own turn and properly combine them all after each addition.

Can old syrup make you sick?

Much like maple syrup, pancake syrup doesn’t spoil. According to Karo, which produces a pancake syrup in addition to various varieties of corn syrup, it is safe to consume for “an endless amount of time regardless of whether it has been opened” for the whole duration of that time.

Conclusion

A great reason to use simple syrup as a sweetener is that it blends in seamlessly with the vast majority of beverage components and can be used with either hot or cold beverages.

At home, you won’t have any trouble putting it together. If you make it yourself at home, there is no time limit on when you may consume it.

You have the option of storing the syrup in the refrigerator or freezer, allowing you to utilize it for a period of up to six months.

If you choose not to store it in the refrigerator, it should be consumed within seven days at the most.

Make sure you have a syrup pump so that you don’t have to constantly open the bottle and risk exposing the syrup to microorganisms.

If you find that the syrup has hardened, is hazy, has an unpleasant odor, or has an excessive amount of bubbles, you should throw it out.