Apple Cider Simple Syrup

Ingredients

250 g apple cider
250 g light brown sugar

Recipe

Microwave method:
Add apple cider and light brown sugar to a heatproof bowl and microwave on high until it boils, 3-5 minutes depending on the power of your microwave. Carefully remove from the microwave and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cover with plastic wrap and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a glass or plastic squeeze bottle and refrigerate.

Stovetop method:
Note: You can also make this on the stovetop. Add the brown sugar and apple cider to a small saucepan set over high heat. Bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve all the ingredients. Cover and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a glass or plastic squeeze bottle and refrigerate.

Mint Simple Syrup

I love mint almost as much as I love adding mint to cocktails.

Ingredients

50 g mint leaves (JUST THE LEAVES)
200 g water
200 g sugar

Recipe

Add water and sugar to a saucepan and heat over medium. Or high. It doesn't matter. Once it starts boiling, remove from the heat.

OR

Add water and sugar to a pyrex measuring glass and microwave on high until it starts boiling.

Stir until all the sugar dissolves.

Add mint leaves and let cool.

Strain.

How To: Make Simple Syrup in the Microwave

Updated: February 18, 2026

I use this in lots of cocktails. Yes, I know sugar is the devil. But adding 1/2 oz to a cocktail isn't going to kill you. Unless you have 30 of those cocktails in one night. But even then it's not really the sugar's fault, is it? Also, why are you drinking 30 of the same cocktail? Branch out, man!

INGREDIENTS

250 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
250 g (1 cup) water

DIRECTIONS

Put sugar and water into a heatproof glass container.

Microwave on high until it starts to boil, usually around 3 minutes in my microwave. If it boils for a few moments, that’s fine.

Stir to dissolve the sugar.

Cool to room temperature then transfer to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate.

BONUS

Try my new Apple Cider Simple for an autumnal twist. Or my Spruce Tip Simple Syrup for a hit of winter any time of year. Or how about Ginger Simple Syrup? Or Mint! The possibilities are endless!

Watch the video 👇