This homemade Jalapeno Simple Syrup recipe is not just your ordinary sweet syrup; it's a flavor-packed syrup that adds a fiery kick to your favorite cocktails, mocktails, and drinks.
Looking for an easy cocktail to try this Jalapeno syrup in? Try using it in this delicious Spicy Paloma, or Smoked Maple Old Fashioned.
This syrup has been our go-to whenever we want a drink with a spicy kick. What we love about it is you can customize the heat to your taste, and it gets more flavorful the longer it stays in the fridge.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Flavor Boost: This spicy simple syrup adds a delightful kick to a wide range of beverages and dishes, from cocktails to desserts, elevating their flavor profile with a little bit of heat.
Easy Preparation: With just three simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginners looking to experiment with homemade simple syrup without any fuss.
Customizable Spice Level: Whether you prefer a mild sweetness or crave a fiery kick, you can easily adjust the spice and heat level of this sweet syrup by controlling the amount of jalapeño peppers as well as jalapeño seeds and membranes added during preparation.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this spiced simple syrup.
Ingredient Notes
How to make Jalapeño Simple Syrup Step-By-Step
Check out these step-by-step instructions with images. Just so you know, you'll find all the details and exact ingredients of this recipe on the printable recipe card below!
Step 1: Wash the jalapeños thoroughly under cold running water then slice the jalapeño peppers into rounds. For a milder syrup, remove the seeds and membranes; for a spicier syrup, leave them intact.
Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Add the sliced jalapeño rounds to the saucepan.
Step 3: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and stir the mixture frequently until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it's dissolved, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the jalapeño flavor. For a stronger flavor, you can simmer for up to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the syrup to reach room temperature.
Step 5: Transfer the strained spicy syrup to a clean, airtight container like a mason jar. Store your jalapeño simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Use Fresh Jalapeños: Opt for fresh, firm jalapeños for the best flavor. Avoid wilted or soft ones because they may have less heat.
Adjust Spice Level: Taste the syrup as it simmers and adjust the spice level accordingly by adding more or fewer jalapeño peppers.
Strain Thoroughly: Press the jalapeño slices firmly while straining to extract maximum flavor without any pulp or solids remaining.
Cool Completely: Allow the syrup to cool completely before storing to prevent condensation buildup in the container.
Experiment with Uses: Get creative with how you use the syrup—try it in your favorite drinks, iced tea, mocktails, marinades, dressings, or even drizzled over grilled fruits.
Label and Date: To keep track of its freshness, label the storage container with the date it was made and the expiration date.
Storage
To store the spicy jalapeño simple syrup, transfer it to a clean, airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to two weeks. Before using, give the container a gentle shake to remix any settled flavors.
For longer storage, you can freeze the jalapeno syrup in ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers. Thaw the cubes in the refrigerator overnight before use.
Additions and Substitutions
Additions: Enhance the syrup with additional flavorings such as citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange), fresh herbs (mint, basil), or spices (ginger, cinnamon).
Substitutions: Substitute the jalapeno peppers with other peppers like serrano for a spicier syrup or poblano for a milder option. You can also experiment with different sweeteners like honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup for varied flavor profiles.
Your Questions Answered
Jalapeño simple syrup is a versatile ingredient that can be added to spicy cocktails, such as a spicy margarita, and can also enhance the flavor of non-alcoholic drinks. Additionally, it can be used in cooking to add heat to grilled chicken or shrimp, marinades, dressings, and sauces. You can also use it to make spicy glazes, sauces, or dressings for salads and appetizers.
Jalapeño simple syrup can elevate classic cocktail recipes like the Margarita or Mojito, giving them a fun twist with a little kick of heat. It can also be used in other cocktails that call for simple syrup, adding a unique flavor profile to your drinks.
While fresh jalapeños are recommended for the best flavor, you can use dried jalapeños if fresh jalapeno slices are not available. Be sure to adjust the quantity according to your taste because dried peppers may have a more concentrated flavor.
Yes, you can easily scale up the recipe to make a larger batch of syrup by adjusting the quantities of ingredients accordingly.
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We hope you love this Jalapeno Simple Syrup! If you make it, be sure to leave a rating so we know how you liked it!
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Recipe
Jalapeno Simple Syrup
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the jalapeño peppers into rounds. For a milder syrup, remove the seeds and membranes; for a spicier syrup, leave them intact.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Add the sliced jalapeño rounds to the saucepan.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and stir the mixture frequently until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it's dissolved, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the jalapeño flavor. For a stronger flavor, you can simmer for up to 15 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the syrup to reach room temperature.
- Once it has cooled, strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle.
- Transfer the strained spicy syrup to a clean, airtight container like a mason jar. Store your jalapeño simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.We love to use jalapeño simple syrup to add a spicy kick to our favorite cocktails, lemonades, desserts, and teas.
Notes
Water: Water serves as the base for the syrup, providing the necessary liquid to dissolve the sugar and infuse the jalapeño flavor. We recommend using filtered water for the best taste. Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the syrup and helps create its syrupy consistency. You can substitute it with demerara sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, or alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. Jalapeño: Jalapeño peppers add a distinct spicy flavor to the syrup. Adjust the spice level by including or excluding the seeds and membranes. For a milder syrup, remove them; for an even spicier syrup, leave them intact. You can also substitute fresh jalapeño peppers with other peppers like ghost peppers, habanero peppers, serrano peppers, or poblano for variations in flavor and heat intensity.
Eva says
This sounds fantastic. As a jalapeño lover, I can see myself using this often!