The Best Tools for Making Homemade Simple Syrups

When I was in baking and pastry school, I learned that having the right tools for the job is one of the best ways to make your life easier. There are a handful of tools for making homemade simple syrups that you’ll want to have in your kitchen. Once your cabinets are stocked, making your own homemade syrups and infusions becomes so much simpler! 😉

You wouldn’t use a screwdriver as a hammer, right?! Trust me, I’ve done it, and while it is possible, it’s much easier to hang those picture frames on your gallery wall when you’ve got a hammer. Just like having the right tools helps with being a better home bartender, the same goes for making syrups!

A variety of kitchen tools for making homemade simple syrups sits on a countertop.

💡top tip: choose non-reactive metals

Non-reactive metals include stainless steel or enameled cast iron. Avoid aluminum or regular cast iron. They react with acidic foods (like lemon juice) and can make your syrups taste metallic. 🤢

scale

Weighing ingredients is the most precise way of cooking, which is important in getting consistent results every time! This is especially important when you are making recipes you’ve made before, or when you’re serving a tried-and-true recipe to guests. Different sugars have different weights cup-for-cup, so you can’t always rely on scooping them out of a container for accuracy. There’s nothing worse than making a recipe over again and having it not taste quite right!

Brand recommendations: Reliable scales can be found from OXO or Escali. I have used both brands, though I currently have and love my scale from OXO.

Two non-reactive 1.5 quart saucepans sit on a countertop.

pots & pans

You’ll need a small to medium-sized saucepan for making simple syrups that use the heat method, like infused syrups. Choose a pan with a heavy bottom for even heating, and make sure the metal is non-reactive.

Brand recommendations: Quality brands include Cuisinart & Calphalon. Are you looking to splurge? Check out brands like All-Clad & Le Creuset for heirloom-quality pieces that are sure to be the last pans you’ll need to buy! I love having multiple sizes so I always have the right size pots and pans for the job.

An assortment of fine mesh sieves sits on a countertop.

fine-mesh strainer

A strainer made of non-reactive metal helps you to strain your finished syrups, especially if you’re infusing flavors like fruits, herbs & spices! You may want to invest in a few different sized sieves— it’s handy to have larger ones for syrups that have more solids to strain out, or if you plan to make larger batches for parties and gatherings.

Brand recommendations: Cuisinart or OXO are my favorite brands for mesh sieves that are specifically made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. These tools can also be put in the dishwasher without risk of oxidizing, which happens to aluminum utensils.

cheesecloth

For some recipes, you will want to double-strain your syrup to remove any fine particles or sediment. This not only helps maintain an idea texture, but it helps you to keep a closer eye on your syrup’s expiration status. If there are tons of tiny particles floating around in your syrup, it can be tough to tell whether microorganisms that can spoil your syrup are present or not.

Brand recommendations: Choose a high-quality cheesecloth so you can rinse and reuse it multiple times. I have and love this brand; I've even put it through the washing machine! 😛

A variety of spatulas sits on a kitchen countertop.

spatulas & spoons

Heat-proof tools are the best utensils for making simple syrups! As a bonus, they are made of platinum grade silicone. This material is perfect for cooking and making infusions with because it does not absorb or impart any flavors. Wooden utensils can

Brand recommendations: I love anything and everything made by the brand GIR co. My favorites for making syrups include their skinny spatulas, ultimate spatulas, and spoonulas. I also love the ladle, which has measurement markings inside the scoop! Their utensils come in so many fun colors, and they don’t stain or absorb flavors. They’re also heat resistant to 500ºF.

An assortment of measuring cups sits on a countertop.

glass measuring cups

I know we just talked about not scooping ingredients into measuring cups, but these tools are still handy to have when straining and pouring syrups! Choose measuring cups that are made of tempered glass. This type of glass can hold up to sudden heat changes, which helps with straining hot liquids, measuring, and pouring.

Brand recommendations: Anchor Hocking makes a set of high-quality cups that stand up to any kitchen task! I love using the 2 cup and 4 cup size for making syrups. The spouts also make easy work of pouring finished syrups into storage bottles.

storage bottles

Airtight storage bottles are perfect for storing, serving, and gifting your finished syrups in style! You’ll need containers that keep air out in the fridge to stop unwanted flavors from getting into your syrups.

Brand recommendations: OXO squeeze botttles or Bormioli Rocco glass swing-top bottles. The BPA-free plastic squeeze bottles from OXO can be run through the dishwasher, stored in the fridge, AND stored in the freezer. They’re my favorite way to use and store syrups, because the bottles have measurements on them, too, so it’s easy to see how much you squirt into your morning lattes. The glass bottles from Bormioli Rocco look great and make wonderful gifts. I always use these in photos!

Now that you've got the right tools for the job, you're ready to start making your very own simple syrups and simple syrup infusions! But a word of warning, once you've started mixing up your syrups, it's hard to stop! 😜 Check out these posts for some of my favorite simple syrup recipes: