In the glasses with ice barman pours strawberry syrup.
ViktoriiaNovokhatska/iStock/GettyImages

Simple syrup is simply a combination of sugar and water boiled down to form a thick syrup. This syrup is used in creating liqueurs, added to cocktails as an already-dissolved sweetening agent or added to iced tea to create “sweat tea." Because the syrup contains a high quantity of sugar, it is somewhat self-preserving and can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer for varying amounts of time.

Pour the simple syrup into a canning jar with a tight lid or into any other glass or plastic container that can be sealed with a lid. Place it on the counter or in the cupboard. When storing simple syrup at room temperature, try to use i[;as quickly as possible--less than a week is best because the syrup tends to crystallize. Simple syrup made in a 2-to-1 sugar-to-water ratio can last at room temperature longer than syrup made from a 1-to-1 ratio.

Store the simple syrup in a sealing glass or container with a tight lid and place in the refrigerator. Simple syrup can be kept fresh in the refrigerator and used for up to one month.

Pour the syrup into a locking freezer container that has a screw-tight of snapping lid. Close the lid lid tightly and place the container inside of a freezer zipping bag. Label the bag with the current date. Do not freeze glass jars--the expanding water could crack the jar and expose your syrup to freezer burn. The syrup can last in the freezer for as long as a year.