Fruit syrup is a concentrated, sweetened juice made from fruit. It is used to sweeten and flavor drinks, desserts, and other foods. There are many different types of fruit syrups made from various fruits. Some common fruit syrups include:
Simple syrup
Simple syrup is the most basic fruit syrup. It is made by combining equal parts sugar and water and heating to dissolve the sugar. Simple syrup can be flavored with any type of fruit juice or puree. It provides a sweet, fruity flavor to drinks, desserts, and more.
Grenadine
Grenadine is a syrup made from pomegranate juice. It has a tart, sweet-tart flavor and deep red color. Grenadine is commonly used in cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. It also works as a topping or sauce for desserts.
Raspberry syrup
Raspberry syrup is made from raspberry juice or raspberry puree. It has a sweet, tart raspberry flavor. Raspberry syrup makes a tasty addition to lemonade, iced tea, cocktails, yogurt, fruit salads, and more.
Blueberry syrup
Blueberry syrup is prepared using blueberry juice. It tastes sweet and jammy, with a deep purple color. Blueberry syrup goes well with pancakes and waffles, mixed into milkshakes or smoothies, drizzled over ice cream, and used in fruit drinks.
Strawberry syrup
Strawberry syrup features the sweet, slightly tart taste of strawberries. It has a bright red color. Strawberry syrup is commonly used to flavor milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, shaved ice, and other cold desserts and drinks.
Peach syrup
Peach syrup delivers a sweet, peachy flavor. It is often paired with lemonade, iced tea, cocktails, and desserts like ice cream sundaes, cakes, and fruit salads. Peach syrup pairs particularly well with prosecco in a bellini cocktail.
Mango syrup
Mango syrup provides a tropical, peach-apricot like flavor. It works nicely in smoothies, lassi drinks, cocktails, over ice cream, mixed into yogurt, and drizzled over fruit salad. Mango syrup has an orange color.
Pineapple syrup
Pineapple syrup tastes sweet and tart, with bright, fruity pineapple notes. It makes a refreshing addition to sparkling water, lemonade, cocktails, smoothies, fruit salads, desserts, and more. Pineapple syrup ranges in color from golden to amber.
Coconut syrup
Coconut syrup has a strong coconut flavor. It is often added to coffee and tea drinks, as well as cocktails, milkshakes, ice cream, pancakes, fruit salads, and baked goods. Coconut syrup is opaque white in color.
Other Fruit Syrups
There are many other types of fruit syrups as well, including:
- Cherry syrup
- Blackberry syrup
- Plum syrup
- Apricot syrup
- Boysenberry syrup
- Pear syrup
- Passionfruit syrup
- Guava syrup
- Kiwi syrup
- Papaya syrup
- Starfruit syrup
- Lychee syrup
- Tamarind syrup
- Banana syrup
The flavor and color of each syrup depends on the type of fruit used. These syrups can add sweet, fruity flavor to all kinds of drinks, desserts, cocktails, and other foods.
Names for Fruit Syrup
There are a few different names used to refer to fruit syrups:
- Fruit syrup
- Fruit juice syrup
- Fruit concentrate
- Fruit extract
- Fruit nectar
- Fruit cordial
- Fruit shrub (vinegar-based syrups)
“Fruit syrup” is the most common, generic term used. The name usually specifies the type of fruit as well, like “raspberry syrup” or “mango syrup.” “Fruit juice syrup” also indicates that the syrup is made from fruit juice. Terms like “fruit concentrate,” “fruit extract,” and “fruit nectar” refer to the concentrated fruit juice that these syrups are produced from.
How is Fruit Syrup Made?
Fruit syrup production involves a few key steps:
- Juicing the fruit – The desired fruit is washed, peeled, deseeded, and juiced to extract the liquid content. The fruit may be pressed and strained to separate the juice from any solids.
- Adding sugar – Granulated cane sugar or other sweeteners are mixed into the fruit juice until fully dissolved, to reach the desired sweetness level.
- Heating and reducing – The sugared fruit juice is simmered over low heat, reducing it down to a thick, concentrated syrup consistency.
- Flavoring and coloring – Natural flavorings and food colorings may be added at this point if desired.
- Bottling – The finished syrup is poured hot into sterilized bottles, then sealed for storage.
The basic ingredients are fruit juice and sugar. Some recipes may also include added pectin, citric acid, preservatives, or flavor enhancers. The syrup can be tailored to different desired thicknesses and sweetness levels based on the reduction time and sugar ratio.
How is Fruit Syrup Used?
There are many culinary uses for fruit syrup, including:
- Sweetening and flavoring beverages – Syrup can be squirted or stirred into drinks like lemonade, sodas, milkshakes, smoothies, cocktails, coffee, and tea.
- Topping desserts – Syrup is drizzled over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, French toast, cheesecake, and other sweets.
- Mixing into desserts – Syrup can be swirled into yogurt, blended into a fruit mousse, folded into whipped cream, added to fruit salads, and more.
- Baking ingredient – Syrup can be used to sweeten and moisten cakes, muffins, breads, and other baked goods.
- Canning and preserving – Syrup is sometimes used to pack or preserve fruit, creating shelf-stable baked goods, jams, and marmalades.
- Cocktail ingredient – Syrup sweetens and adds fruit flavor to mixed drinks and cocktails.
The applications are nearly endless! Fruit syrup is a versatile way to add concentrated fruit taste and sweetness to foods and beverages.
Fruit Syrup vs. Fruit Concentrate
Fruit syrup and fruit concentrate are very similar products that are often confused with each other. Here is a look at how they differ:
| Fruit Syrup | Fruit Concentrate |
|---|---|
| Made from fruit juice plus added sugar | Made from 100% fruit juice only |
| Very thick, syrupy texture | Thicker than juice but thinner than syrup |
| Very sweet taste | Tart, concentrated fruit taste |
| Used as a dessert/drink sweetener and flavoring | Often reconstituted with water to make juice again |
| Stable at room temperature after opening | Must be refrigerated after opening |
While both are made from condensed fruit juice, syrup has added sugar and a thicker consistency intended specifically for flavoring uses. Concentrate is closer to unsweetened fruit juice.
Popular Brands of Fruit Syrup
Some well-known brands producing high quality fruit syrups include:
- Monin – Offers premium fruit syrups in many flavors like raspberry, coconut, and strawberry.
- Torani – Specializes in coffeehouse-style syrups including caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut.
- Smucker’s – Known for fruit syrups like strawberry, boysenberry, and blueberry.
- DaVinci – Makes syrups for coffee as well as classic flavors like peach, raspberry, and grenadine.
- Nestle – Produces Nesquik brand syrups in chocolate and strawberry flavors.
- Aunt Jemima – Makes syrups like the classic maple flavor and lite versions.
- Hershey’s – Offers chocolate, caramel, strawberry, and other flavored syrups.
- Fox’s U-bet – Known for chocolate, coffee, and anise flavored syrups.
These brands can be found in most grocery stores and speciality shops selling coffee supplies. High quality fruit syrup delivers great flavor and sweetness for uses ranging from dessert toppings to custom drinks.
Storing Fruit Syrup
Properly stored fruit syrup can last for months beyond its best by date. Here are some fruit syrup storage tips:
- Keep syrup in a tightly sealed container after opening to prevent moisture loss.
- Refrigeration is optional but will help extend shelf life.
- Store in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard if not refrigerating.
- Make sure the syrup is not exposed to direct sunlight, as this can impact flavor.
- Syrup may last for up to 1 year unopened or up to 6 months after opening.
- If mold develops on the syrup’s surface, discard the entire bottle.
- For long term storage, syrup can be frozen for up to 1 year.
With proper storage conditions, the concentrate and sugar content allow fruit syrups to remain stable and useable for quite a while after being opened. Follow the tips above to get the longest usability from your favorite syrups.
Signs that Fruit Syrup has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that your opened fruit syrup has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Change in color – Unnatural darkening or dulling can indicate spoilage.
- Crystal formation – Sugar crystals or sediment developing can be a sign of trouble.
- Off odors – A rancid, fermented, or moldy smell means toss the syrup.
- Fizzing or bubbling – This signals fermentation; syrup should not actively ferment.
- Off tastes – Soapy, bitter, or metallic flavors mean the syrup is no longer good.
- Mold – Any fuzzy growth in or on the syrup is unsafe to consume.
- Expired – Toss syrup that is past the use by date printed on the bottle.
While fruit syrup lasts a while, its high sugar content eventually will allow mold and bacteria to grow. If you notice any of the above signs, err on the side of caution and get rid of old syrups rather than risk foodborne illness.
Conclusion
Fruit syrup is a versatile, flavorful ingredient used to sweeten and enhance drinks, desserts, cocktails, and numerous other foods. Made from reduced fruit juice and added sugar, syrup comes in a wide range of fruit varieties. Popular types include raspberry, strawberry, peach, mango, and coconut syrup. Fruit syrup can be used as a topping, stirred into drinks and desserts, or incorporated into baking. When stored properly, syrup can last for months in the refrigerator after opening. Keep an eye out for signs of spoilage over time. With its concentrated fruit taste and sweetness, fruit syrup is a handy product to have in any kitchen.
