Is there alcoholic syrup?

Alcoholic syrups do exist, though they are not as common as non-alcoholic syrups. Syrups are thick, viscous liquids that are usually very sweet due to a high sugar content. While most syrups are non-alcoholic and used for flavoring foods and drinks, some syrups also contain alcohol.

Table of Contents

What is syrup?

Syrup is a thick, viscous liquid that is made by dissolving sugar in water or other liquid. The high concentration of sugar is what gives syrup its thick, smooth texture. Syrups are commonly used as sweeteners and flavorings for a variety of foods and beverages.

Some of the most common types of syrup include:

Maple syrup
Corn syrup
Golden syrup

Simple syrup
Honey
Molasses

Fruit syrups like raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, etc.
Chocolate syrup
Caramel syrup

Syrups may contain other ingredients besides just sugar and water or juice, such as flavorings, preservatives, coloring, and even alcohol in some cases.

What are some examples of alcoholic syrups?

Some syrups that contain alcohol include:

Fernet branca – An Italian amaro liqueur with a base of brandy, herbs, spices and caramel coloring. It has a bitter, medicinal taste.

Grenadine – A commonly used bar syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar, often with added citrus flavors. Some brands contain vodka or brandy.
Coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Tia Maria – Sweetened coffee-flavored liqueurs.
Orgeat syrup – A sweet almond-flavored bar syrup that sometimes contains brandy.

Spiced rum syrups – Syrups made by infusing sugar with spiced rum and often molasses.
Chambord – A raspberry liqueur made with cognac, raspberries, honey and herbs.

These alcoholic syrups are used in cocktails and mixed drinks to add flavor and sweetness, along with the effect of the alcohol. The alcohol content ranges quite a bit between different liqueurs and syrups.

Why are some syrups alcoholic?

There are a few reasons why some syrups contain alcohol:

To preserve the syrup for longer shelf life. The alcohol acts as a preservative.
To extract flavors and aromas from ingredients like herbs, spices, fruits, etc. Alcohol can draw out more intense flavors.

To balance sweetness. The alcohol provides a contrast to the high sugar content.
To provide a smooth mouthfeel and texture. The alcohol changes the viscosity.
For use in cocktails and mixed drinks. The syrup sweetens and flavors the drink while the alcohol provides its effects.

Keep in mind that while these syrups contain alcohol, they are still considered liqueurs, not straight spirits. The sugar content is much higher than the alcohol content. The alcohol percentages usually range from 15-40% ABV compared to 40% and above for most straight liquors.

How are alcoholic syrups made?

The basic process for making alcoholic syrup is:

Create a simple syrup base by dissolving sugar in water and heating it to dissolve.

Infuse the syrup with ingredients like fruits, herbs, spices, coffee, etc. to impart flavor and color.
Once cooled, add a distilled spirit like brandy, rum, or vodka to the syrup.
Allow time for the flavors to mesh and alcohol to extract aromas from the ingredients.

Filter the finished syrup to remove solids and particles.
Bottle the syrup.

The ingredients, ratios of sugar to water, alcohol strength and infusion time can vary greatly depending on the type of syrup. Complex liqueurs may have dozens of botanicals, while simple syrups may just have a distilled spirit added to finished simple syrup.

Are alcoholic syrups safe?

Alcoholic syrups are generally safe for consumption in moderation by adults 21 and over. However, there are a few considerations when consuming them:

Sugar content – Syrups are high in sugar, so consuming too much may have health risks for diabetics or those watching sugar intake.
Alcohol content – While lower in alcohol than hard liquors, they can still cause intoxication if consumed excessively.

Allergies – Syrups may contain ingredients like nuts, dairy, etc. that some people are allergic to.
Food interactions – The alcohol may interact with some medications. Check with a doctor.

Pregnant women should avoid alcoholic syrups. As with any alcohol, moderation and responsibility are encouraged. Consuming syrup straight or in excess can lead to overintoxication due to the sweet taste masking the alcohol strength.

How are alcoholic syrups used?

Alcoholic syrups have a variety of culinary uses:

Cocktail mixers – Grenadine and orgeat are popular cocktail mixers. The syrup sweetens and flavors drinks.
Coffee drinks – Kahlúa, Tia Maria and other coffee liqueurs can be added to milkshakes, iced coffee, etc.

Baking and desserts – Many syrups like chocolate or coffee liqueurs can be used to flavor cakes, puddings, ice cream, etc.
Flavoring sauces and glazes – Alcoholic syrups can add depth of flavor to sauces and glazes on meats, desserts, etc.
Toppings and drizzles – Syrups can be drizzled over desserts, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, etc.

Always keep in mind the alcohol content when cooking with syrups, especially when using heat which can burn off some of the alcohol. Get creative and substitute syrups for plain sugar or other sweeteners in a variety of recipes.

What kinds of drinks use alcoholic syrups?

Here are some popular cocktails that use alcoholic syrups:

Mai Tai – Light and dark rum, orange Curacao liqueur, orgeat syrup, lime juice.

Aviation – Gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette.
Cosmopolitan – Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice.
Margarita – Tequila, orange liqueur like Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice.

Kamikaze – Vodka, triple sec, lime juice.
Hurricane – Light and dark rum, passionfruit syrup, lime juice, grenadine.
Long Island Iced Tea – Vodka, light rum, gin, triple sec, tequila, cola.

The sweet fruity flavors of grenadine, triple sec, Curacao and other liqueurs really complement the sour citrus juices commonly used in cocktails. The next time you order a cocktail, see if you can identify the syrups used!

Are there non-alcoholic versions of these syrups?

Yes, there are non-alcoholic versions of many popular syrups and liqueurs available:

Grenadine – Often made without alcohol using just pomegranate juice, sugar and citric acid.

Coffee syrups – Flavored with coffee but made without adding liqueur.
Orgeat syrup – Almond syrup without alcohol, just sugar and almond extract.
Triple sec – Citrus flavored orange liqueur available in non-alcoholic form.

Raspberry syrup – Made from raspberry juice without adding spirits.

Non-alcoholic syrups can be useful for cooking for children, pregnant women, those avoiding alcohol, or even light cocktails. Check the label closely to ensure there is no alcohol in the ingredients if needed.

Are syrups mostly for cocktails and drinks?

While syrups are very popular for use in cocktails, they have many uses beyond just mixology:

Pancake syrup and toppings for waffles, crepes, desserts, ice cream, etc.
Sweetening coffee, tea, milkshakes and other beverages
Glazing meats like ham, chickens, roasts, etc.

Flavoring cakes, cookies, puddings, custards, etc.
Sweetening and thickening pie fillings and fruit compotes
Used in savory dishes like duck a l’orange to balance acidity

Adding body and texture to salad dressings and sauces

Syrup’s ability to add sweetness, flavor, moisture, and texture makes it extremely versatile in all kinds of recipes, both sweet and savory. Even cocktails originated long ago as a way to make alcohol-based medicines more palatable. So while we may associate syrup with drinks today, it has always had wider culinary uses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while not as widely used as non-alcoholic varieties, alcoholic syrups definitely exist. Syrups like grenadine, coffee liqueurs, spiced rum syrups and more contain alcohol while maintaining syrup’s high sugar content and viscosity. They provide sweet and intense flavors that preserve well and balance alcohol’s bite. Alcoholic syrups originate from preserving and extracting flavors for medicines and have expanded into modern cocktail culture. But they can also be used creatively in many culinary applications beyond drinks, both sweet and savory. While they should be consumed responsibly, alcoholic syrups provide a unique way to add flavor and depth to recipes.