Total time: 8 min • Prep: 8 min • Cook: 0 min • Serves: 6 • Difficulty: Easy

Simple syrup is easy to make and good to have on hand because only a tiny amount is needed in most applications. Use the syrup to brush on cake layers for added moistness, toss it with fruit to balance out the fruit’s acidity, or add it to chilled beverages, such as iced tea or coffee, for instant sweetening. No matter how much you make, the proportions are always the same: equal parts water and sugar. If you’d like to add fresh herbs like mint or rosemary to perk up the flavor, add a handful to the syrup while it cools and strain the syrup before storing. Refrigerated, sugar syrup will keep up to 2 weeks.