How to make snowie syrup from concentrate?

Snowie syrup is a delicious flavored syrup that can be used to sweeten coffees, teas, milkshakes and other beverages. It comes in a wide variety of flavors like chocolate, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut and many more. While you can buy pre-made snowie syrup at grocery stores, making your own homemade snowie syrup is easy and allows you to customize flavors. The main ingredients needed are water, sugar and flavor extracts or concentrates. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make snowie syrup from concentrate at home.

What is Snowie Syrup?

Snowie syrup is a concentrated, flavored simple syrup that is used to sweeten and add flavor to beverages. It has a thicker, more viscous consistency compared to plain simple syrup. Snowie gets its name from the snow-like consistency when it is drizzled over drinks.

Some key features of snowie syrup:

  • Made from sugar, water and flavor extracts/concentrates
  • Has a thick, rich texture
  • Used to flavor and sweeten drinks like coffee, tea, milkshakes etc.
  • Comes in many flavors like chocolate, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, pumpkin spice and more
  • Can be purchased pre-made or homemade
  • Lasts for up to a month refrigerated

The thick, liquidy texture allows the flavors to slowly drizzle into the beverage and prevents the syrup from completely blending in. This gives drinks an appealing visual effect.

Benefits of Making Your Own

While pre-made snowie syrups are convenient, making your own has some advantages:

  • Customize flavors – Mix and match extracts to create unique flavor combos
  • Control sweetness level – Cater to your tastes by adjusting sugar amount
  • Avoid preservatives and artificial ingredients
  • Cost effective – Significant savings compared to store-bought syrups
  • Fun hobby or activity to do with kids

The only limit is your imagination when making homemade snowie syrups. You can experiment with different flavor pairings like chocolate coconut, vanilla hazelnut, cinnamon orange and more.

Ingredients Needed

Snowie syrup contains just a few simple ingredients:

  • Sugar – White granulated sugar is most commonly used. You can also use coconut sugar, maple syrup or other liquid sweeteners.
  • Water – Plain water. You can use milk for creamier dairy-based snowie syrups.
  • Flavor extracts – Pure extracts like vanilla, almond, coconut, peppermint etc. Can use individual or combinations.
  • Food coloring (optional) – For vibrant colored syrups like raspberry or orange.

When using flavor concentrates instead of extracts, less is needed as concentrates have stronger flavor. Follow package instructions.

Equipment Needed

You’ll need the following basic kitchen equipment:

  • Saucepan
  • Spoon for stirring
  • Measuring cups
  • Funnel (for bottling)
  • Squeeze bottles or glass jars (for storing)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow this simple process to make snowie syrup:

1. Mix sugar and water

– Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a small saucepan. For richer syrup, use 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.
– Heat on medium, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer.
– Reduce heat and let simmer for 2-3 mins to allow flavors to infuse.

2. Remove from heat and add extracts

– Remove saucepan from heat.
– Add your choice of extracts, starting with 1 tsp each. Taste and adjust as desired.
– For color, add 2-3 drops food coloring (liquid/gel/paste)

3. Cool completely

– Transfer syrup to a heatproof container like glass jar or bottle.
– Allow to cool at room temperature. Do not refrigerate hot syrup as this can cause condensation.

4. Store and use

– Once cooled, cap tightly and store in the refrigerator.
– Shake before each use to remix any separated flavors.
– Add to beverages like coffee, tea, milk, lemonade or cocktails.
– Keeps for up to 1 month refrigerated.

Flavor Combination Ideas

Get creative with these snowie syrup flavor ideas:

Fruit Flavors

  • Strawberry
  • Raspberry
  • Blueberry
  • Peach
  • Mango
  • Pineapple
  • Cherry
  • Pomegranate
  • Apple pie (apple + cinnamon)

Dessert Flavors

  • Vanilla
  • Chocolate
  • Caramel
  • Butterscotch
  • Coconut
  • Maple
  • Hazelnut
  • Pumpkin spice
  • Peppermint mocha (chocolate + peppermint)

Herbal Flavors

  • Lavender
  • Honey
  • Ginger
  • Chai
  • Matcha
  • Rose
  • Hibiscus

Feel free to mix and match extracts to create unique combos!

Tips and Tricks

Use these tips for best results making snowie syrup:

  • Use pure extracts for optimal flavor. Imitation extracts won’t taste as robust.
  • Undercook the syrup slightly to retain flavor intensity after cooling.
  • For stronger flavor, allow syrup to infuse for 10 mins off heat before straining.
  • Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
  • Store in squeeze bottles for easy drizzling over drinks.
  • For thicker syrup, use more sugar than water. For thinner, use more water.
  • Refrigerate citrus syrups for longer shelf life as they can spoil faster.

Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Syrup isn’t thickening

– Cook longer to evaporate more water and reach desired consistency
– Add more sugar during the simmering process

Syrup doesn’t have enough flavor

– Use higher ratio of sugar to water to concentrate flavor
– Simmer for longer to intensify flavors
– Add more extracts if using

Crystals forming in syrup

– Sugar crystals can form if syrup cooled too quickly
– Reheat gently to dissolve crystals before cooling again

Syrup has mold

– This can occur if syrup was not refrigerated
– Always store snowie syrup in the refrigerator after making
– Make a new batch

Syrup separates into layers

– Flavors and sugar can separate over time
– Shake vigorously before each use to re-mix

Storage

Properly stored snowie syrup will last 1-2 months. Follow these storage tips:

– Cool syrup completely before refrigerating
– Store in airtight bottles or containers
– Refrigerate after opening; do not leave at room temperature
– Shake before each use to recombine any separation
– Transfer to clean bottles if any mold develops
– For longer shelf life, add potassium sorbate preservative

Citrus and berry syrups have shorter shelf life of 2-3 weeks. Fruit syrups can also be frozen for longer storage.

Uses for Snowie Syrup

Snowie syrup is endlessly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to use your homemade syrup:

Coffee drinks

– Flavor whipped cream or cold foam topping
– Sweeten and flavor iced coffees
– Drizzle over hot coffee, lattes or cappuccinos

Milkshakes

– Use as base for flavored milkshakes
– Swirl into thick milkshakes for ripple effect

Baked goods

– Use in place of other liquids in recipes like cakes or cookies
– Add to frosting or whipped cream as flavoring
– Brush over pound cake or waffles

Fruit desserts

– Drizzle over fruit salads
– Soak into fruit pies, cobblers or crisps
– Mix into fruit smoothie bowls

Cocktails

– Sweeten and flavor mixed drinks
– Use in place of simple syrup in cocktails
– Rim cocktail glasses for garnish

Tea or lemonade

– Sweeten and flavor iced tea
– Mix into lemonade or fruit punch

Let your imagination run wild with all the ways you can use snowie syrups!

Recipe Ideas

Here are some snowie syrup recipes to try:

Vanilla Snowie

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Salted Caramel Snowie

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp caramel extract or 2 tbsp caramel sauce

Chocolate Coconut Snowie

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp coconut extract

Pumpkin Spice Snowie

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Get creative and experiment with your own snowie syrup flavors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use maple syrup or honey instead of sugar?

Yes, you can use maple syrup, honey, agave or other liquid sweeteners in place of granulated sugar. Reduce the water to account for the added liquid.

Is snowie syrup suitable for a keto or low-sugar diet?

Snowie syrup is high in sugar, so not ideal for keto or low-sugar diets. Try using a lower sugar sweetener like stevia or monk fruit instead.

How long does snowie syrup last in the fridge?

Properly stored snowie syrup will last 1-2 months refrigerated. Citrus and fruit syrups may last 2-3 weeks.

Should snowie syrup be stored at room temperature?

No, snowie syrup must be refrigerated after making to prevent mold growth. Do not leave it at room temperature.

Can I freeze leftover snowie syrup?

Yes, you can freeze snowie syrup for longer term storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before using again.

Conclusion

Making your own snowie syrup from concentrate at home is an easy, fun and customizable way to add flavor and sweetness to drinks and desserts. With just sugar, water and extracts you can whip up small-batch artisanal syrups. Experiment with unique flavor combinations and control the consistency to your liking. Homemade snowie syrup also makes a great DIY holiday gift idea. Drizzle it over coffee, pancakes, fruit salads or milkshakes and enjoy!

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