The Basics: Simple Syrup
If you've ever gone looking for a cocktail recipe then you've heard of this stuff. What sucks is it's just assumed that you know what it is. I've actually seen this sold in stores which is ridiculous because it's so damn easy to make! All you need is to mix 1 part sugar with 1 part water and heat it.
Here's a little science lesson for ya, Johnny. Simple Syrup is what you call a super-saturated solution. What that means is you're getting more sugar into the water than you should be able to at room temperature. If you've ever tried putting too much sugar into your Kool-Aid and it got stuck on the bottom creating a super-tasty-sugary-surprise finish that said, "FUCK DIABETES! DRINK ME!" then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Anthropomorphic sugar monsters aside, when you heat up the sugar-water slurry you can get a helluva lot more sugar into that water making a Simple kind of Syrup.
Stick with me, kids. I'll try not to go too fast.
SUGAR!
WATER!
IT'S ALIVE MOTHRAFUCKA!
SIMPLE SYRUP!
Once it boils it should go from cloudy to clear really fast. That's what you want. You can store it for about 2 months by itself OR do what I do and add some vodka which should extend its life indefinitely.
