The market · Acids and agents

Rich simple syrup

Two parts sugar to one of water by weight — about two-thirds sugar — so it sweetens with less dilution and gives stirred drinks body.

sweet · thick · silky

Goes with

bourbonrye whiskeyangostura bitterjamaican rum

Knowing it

Where to buy
Make it: white sugar for neutral, demerara for a rummy edge.
Worth knowing
2:1 by weight; use about three-quarters as much as 1:1 for the same sweetness. Warm it gently to dissolve, then cool. With so little water it keeps far longer than 1:1.

More acids and agents

Acids and agentsAgarneutral, firm, brittleNot cooked here yetAcids and agentsCalcium chloridebitter, salty, firmingNot cooked here yetAcids and agentsCalcium lactateneutral, faintly milkyNot cooked here yetAcids and agentsCharred corn syruptoasty, sweet corn, smokyIn Corn sour, charred cob syrup