Sweet and Tangy Homemade Cherry Syrup Recipe
Summer Cafe Essential! Easy Seedless Cherry Syrup & Cherry Coke Recipe
Learn how to make delicious cherry syrup at home, just like at a cafe, using fresh summer cherries. This is a great way to utilize fruits that are difficult to freeze! We’ll show you how to prepare plump cherries and create a sweet and tangy syrup. Once made, this cherry syrup is perfect as a topping for yogurt or mixed with sparkling water or cola for a refreshing cherry ade or cherry coke.
Ingredients for Cherry Syrup
- 500g ripe fresh cherries
- 500g granulated sugar (can be reduced to 400g depending on cherry sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s thoroughly wash the fresh cherries. Rinse them under running water, then soak them briefly in a solution of baking soda or vinegar to remove any residual pesticides or impurities. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat them dry.
Step 2
Next, it’s time to remove the cherry pits. Make a small cut opposite the stem on each cherry, then carefully split it in half and remove the pit. You can also use a cherry pitter or a sturdy straw inserted from the stem end to push out the pit.
Step 3
Once pitted, finely chop the cherries. If you prefer a chewier texture, chop them into slightly larger pieces. For a smoother consistency, mince them finely. Adjust the chopping size according to your preference.
Step 4
Now, let’s determine the ratio for the syrup. Typically, cherries and sugar are mixed in a 1:1 ratio. However, if the cherries are very sweet, you can reduce the sugar to about 0.8 ratio (400g sugar for 500g cherries). Adjust the sugar amount to your taste.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to enhance the flavor. Lemon juice helps brighten the cherry’s tanginess and improves its shelf life.
Step 6
After adding the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice, gently mix everything together with a clean spatula or spoon. Ensure the utensil is completely dry, as any moisture can prevent the sugar from dissolving properly and cause it to clump.
Step 7
The ingredients are now mixed. Instead of immediately transferring to a jar, it’s best to let this mixture sit at room temperature for about a day to allow the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to meld. This resting period develops a deeper, richer taste.
Step 8
Usually, fruit syrups are made by placing fruit in a jar first, then adding sugar on top. However, this method can sometimes result in uneven sugar dissolution. To avoid this, I prefer to mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl beforehand. This ensures a more uniform blend.
Step 9
Transfer the rested cherry mixture into a clean, sterilized glass jar. Fill the jar completely to the brim. Your delicious homemade cherry syrup is now ready!
Step 10
Here’s how the cherry syrup looks after a day of resting. The sugar has dissolved, creating a sweet syrup alongside the cherries.
Step 11
For breakfast, add a generous spoonful of this cherry syrup to your yogurt or granola. The chewy texture of the seedless cherries and their sweet flavor transform a simple yogurt into something special. You’ll love the delightful bite of the cherry pieces with your yogurt.
Step 12
Making cherry ade or cherry coke with your homemade syrup is incredibly simple. Fill a glass with ice, then scoop in some of the cherry fruit and syrup from your jar.
Step 13
Top it off with sparkling water or cola according to your preference, and you’ll have a refreshing and delicious cherry drink ready in no time. Enjoy your sweet and tangy homemade cafe beverage!
