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Grapefruit Simple Syrup

(recipe, Kelly Myers)

Introduction

Bartenders and amateur mixologists alike will love having grapefruit simple syrup on hand. Try adding the grapefruit simple syrup to a Campari and soda, or mixing it with grapefruit juice and vodka. For a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage that doesn’t cloy, add a few tablespoons of the syrup to soda water in a glass of ice with a squeeze of lemon.

Ingredients

1. 2 to 4 ruby-red grapefruit
2. 2 cups sugar
3. 2 cups water

Steps

1. Wash the citrus under cold water and dry. Finely grate the peel, avoiding the white pith, until you have a heaping 2 Tbsp. grated peel.
2. In a bowl, vigorously stir the zest into the sugar. Use the back of a spoon to crush the zest into the sugar, until the sugar appears slushy and damp. Cover well and let sit overnight or several hours.
3. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and stir in the citrus sugar. Simmer the syrup for 3 minutes to dissolve the sugar.
4. Take off the heat and let cool. Strain out the zest and store the syrup in the refrigerator.

Note

Read more about wintertime citrus cooking in Kelly Myers' "Citrus time."