Three Balsamic Simple Syrups That Will Upgrade Your Whole Summer Bar

Forget the flavored syrups at the grocery store. These three balsamic-infused simple syrups come together in under 15 minutes and open up a whole world of summer cocktails, mocktails, and lemonades — each one built around a Nika's Olive balsamic that brings real depth, not just sweetness. Make one, make all three, and thank yourself all season long.

Each syrup keeps up to one week in the refrigerator and makes approximately 1 cup.

Syrup No. 1 — Orange Vanilla

Beautiful in: sparkling water, gin & tonic, vodka martinis, iced green tea, or homemade popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 orange peel

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 2 tsp Cara Cara Orange & Vanilla White Balsamic

Instructions:

1. Combine water, sugar, orange peel, cinnamon stick, balsamic, and vanilla in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, until all sugar is dissolved.

3. Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.

4. Strain into a glass jar, discarding the orange peel and cinnamon stick. Refrigerate.

Syrup No. 2 — Cranberry Pear

Beautiful in: vodka, gin, rum-based cocktails, lemonade, or iced tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp dried cranberries

• ½ pear, cored and diced

• 2 tsp Cranberry Pear White Balsamic

Instructions:

1. Combine water, sugar, cranberries, pear, and balsamic in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, until all sugar is dissolved.

3. Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.

4. Strain into a glass jar, discarding the cranberries and pear. Refrigerate.

Syrup No. 3 — Blackberry Ginger

Beautiful in: martinis, bourbon, gin, rum-based cocktails, lemonade, or iced tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1-inch slice fresh ginger

• ¼ cup blackberries

• 2 tsp Blackberry Ginger Balsamic

Instructions:

1. Combine water, sugar, blackberries, ginger, and balsamic in a small saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, until all sugar is dissolved.

3. Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.

4. Strain into a glass jar, discarding the berries and ginger. Refrigerate.

A Note on Using Your Syrups: Start with 1–2 tablespoons per drink and adjust to taste. These also make a lovely gift — pour into a small glass jar, tie on a tag with a cocktail suggestion, and you've got something people will actually use.