Starfruit Simple Syrup (Carambola Fruit Simple Syrup)

This starfruit simple syrup recipe is the perfect way to use a tropical fruit that is sometimes thought of as luxurious or exotic. It is an easy way to flavor all of your favorite beverages with the subtle taste of starfruit!

Simple syrups are one of the best ways to try new flavors, because you can easily infuse them with flavors. With over 10 years of experience making homemade drinks, I know a thing or two about experimenting with flavors. 😉 This syrup is perfect for using in a cocktail, like a starfruit daiquiri, or sweetening up a non-alcoholic drink, like starfruit soda or a starfruit smoothie!

This starfruit simple syrup came to be because of a massive harvest from our small but mighty starfruit tree. I knew simple syrup was going to be the first thing I made, because simple syrups are my favorite low-pressure way to try new flavors. The next time you’re not sure how to use an ingredient, try turning it into a simple syrup!

💕 why you need this starfruit simple syrup recipe in your life….

🏝️ tropical. Starfruit is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia that is sometimes called carambola. In recent years, it’s become increasingly available in local grocery stores, especially during peak starfruit season.

🥳 flavorful fun. Starfruit tastes like a cross between grapes and apples, with slight hints of orange or lemons depending on the ripeness. It’s an especially fun fruit because when you slice it, you get a unique star shape!

🤌 easy to make. This simple syrup comes together in under an hour, including cooling time. It’s a wonderful recipe to make with kids in the kitchen, or if you’re a beginner cook looking to experiment with more flavors.

🛒 ingredients

• starfruit – you’ll need 2-3 medium sized starfruit for this recipe. Choose fruits that are deeper yellow or browned in flavor as they will be less sour than green or light yellow fruits. You can also let them ripen after you purchase them until they deepen in color.
  
• granulated sugar – granulated sugar has a straightforward sweet flavor profile without any caramelized undertones that can come with less processed sugars or darker sugars. This makes it ideal for using in infused simple syrups.
  
• filtered water – filtered water is a necessary ingredient for any simple syrup. Make sure to use filtered water so you get the more pure taste without any added minerals or impurities. This ensures that the starfruit flavor is front and center in this syrup recipe.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🍳 instructions

Step 1: Wash and dry your starfruit, to remove any dirt or impurities.

Step 2: Slice the starfruit into 1-2 inch slices. Remove the seeds using a toothpick or the end of a pairing knife, being careful not to poke yourself.

Step 3: Add water to a small saucepan over medium heat, and allow it to heat up to a low-simmer.

Step 4: Add in the granulated sugar and stir until it dissolves.

Step 5: Once the sugar is dissolved, add in the starfruit slices and allow them to simmer for up to 20 minutes, infusing the syrup with flavor.

Step 6: Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.

Step 7: Strain the starfruit chunks out of the syrup using a fine mesh sieve.

Step 8: Pour the syrup into an airtight storage container, such as a glass jar or plastic squeeze bottle. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Hint: To help break the fruit up more, you can use a muddler to smash the fruits up.

🍽️ serving tips

Simple syrups are best used in beverages because of their thin consistency. This allows them to easily mix into hot and cold drinks, without pooling at the bottom of the glass like thicker syrups tend to do.

cocktails

• starfruit daiquiri – use this simple syrup in place of regular simple syrup in a classic cocktail, such as a daiquiri.
• starfruit margarita – you can also use this syrup in place of agave in a margarita recipe to make tropical starfruit margaritas.

non-alcoholic drinks

• starfruit soda – one of my favorite ways to use simple syrups is in homemade sodas, like this starfruit soda recipe!
• starfruit smoothie – this starfruit smoothie recipe is made using fresh fruit, but you can also add some of this simple syrup to the smoothie to add sweetness and boost the starfruit flavor.

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

While simple syrups are straightforward to make, things can go wrong! Try these troubleshooting tips if your syrup doesn’t taste quite right.

• not enough flavor – starfruit tends to be mild in flavor, so if you want a stronger starfruit taste, you can use up to 4 of the fruits.
  
• too thick – if your syrup is too thick, you may have heated it at too high of a temperature. This can cause too much of the water to evaporate and creates a rich syrup, with a higher ratio of sugar to water. You can dilute your syrup with more water, 2 TBSP at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

🔆 top tip

Use fruits that are deep yellow or almost brown in color. This means they are more ripe and flavorful. Green fruits tend to be more sour or tart.

♻️ substitutions & variations

♻️ substitutions

• dried starfruit – if you can’t find fresh fruit, you can use dried or dehydrated fruit to make your syrup.
• tropical fruit – you can use a combination of starfruit, passionfruit, and pineapple for a tropical medley simple syrup.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

🧰 tools needed

Check out this post for a guide of all the tools you’ll need for making homemade syrups!

• 1.5 quart saucepan – you can use whatever saucepan you have on hand, I love this 1.5-quart saucepan from All-Clad. The heavy bottom ensures even heating throughout the cooking time!
  
• non-reactivemesh strainer a fine mesh strainer helps you to remove the starfruit chunks from the liquid after simmering the mixture.
  
• measuring cups – if you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’ll likely need some measuring cups. I love using these glass measuring cups from Anchor Hocking because they can tolerate the quick temperature changes that happen when I’m making simple syrups.
  
• kitchen scale – using a kitchen scale has so many benefits, from being more precise to helping you do less dishes! If you use a scale, you can simply put everything right in the pot as you measure it, no need to dirty up a bunch of extra dishes! I have and love this OXO kitchen scale.
  
• airtight storage container – you can use any storage container you like, as long as its airtight. These OXO squeeze bottles are a favorite of mine for storing simple syrups because you can also stash them in the freezer. These glass bottles are great for gifting simple syrups to friends and family. You can also use a mason jar!

🫙 storage tips

Store your finished syrup in an airtight storage container for up to two weeks in the fridge. You can also freeze your syrup for longer term storage.

💬 q+a

What does starfruit taste like?

Starfruit has a mild tropical flavor that is like a cross between an apple or pear, grapes, and citrus, such as an orange. The texture resembles a crisp apple. When the fruits are green or light yellow, they can be more sour. When they are deep yellow or brown, they are sweeter in taste.

🧯food safety & other information

Food safety is an important ingredient in any recipe for success! Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen!

• Starfruit can be unsafe to consume in large quantities (think 8+ entire fruits), especially on an empty stomach or if you have kidney issues, because it contains oxalate and caramboxin. These can cause damage to kidneys in high concentrations. You can read more about this occurence here.
  
• While you can allow this syrup to sit at room temperature, don’t leave it out for longer than 4 hours at a time. This helps to inhibit bacteria growth that can happen from the sugars in the syrup. Read more about the temperature danger zone here.
  
• Use sterilized containers whenever possible. You can sterilize your containers by boiling them briefly, running them through your dishwasher with the sterilize feature activated, or pouring boiling water into the containers.

• While you may be able to use your simple syrup longer than 2 weeks in the fridge, if you see any sort of cloudiness or dark spots in the syrup, throw it out. This is mold growth and is not a recipe for fun.
  
• Never leave simmering syrup unattended on the stove.