Cardamom Simple Syrup (Cardamom Syrup Recipe)
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Add a rich, satisfying chai flavor to any tea, morning coffee, or cocktail with this silky smooth cardamom simple syrup recipe! It has an unusual flavor that transforms any beverage into something exquisite, yet it only requires three simple ingredients.
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Equipment
You’ll only need a few simple everyday tools to make this cardamom sugar syrup recipe.
Ingredients
- Green cardamom pods: We’ll infuse the whole cardamom pod in the sugar water. Use the mortar and pestle to gently break open the pods until the black cardamom seeds spill out.
- Water: Use cold water, ideally filtered.
- Cane sugar: You can use either white sugar or brown sugar for this recipe. The brown sugar will give this syrup a richer flavor, while the white sugar highlights the spicy notes of cardamom.
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How to Make Cardamom Syrup
1. Gently crush the cardamom pods using a mortar and pestle or pour them into a bag and whack them with a rolling pin.
2. Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and heat until the sugar dissolves in the water.
3. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then strain out the black cardamom pods using the funnel and sieve. Pour into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Scale this recipe up or down as much as you’d like. You just need a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. To make a quart of syrup, you’ll need just under 4 cups of both ingredients and approximately 1/4 cup of cardamom pods.
- If your cardamom pods are really dry and old, they won’t have as much scent or flavor as fresh pods. You can tell they’re old if the pod is pale green and papery. You may want to use more cardamom than normal and/or let it sit longer before straining.
- This recipe makes a simple syrup. It’s relatively thin and is often used as a liquid sweetener. For a thicker syrup, use twice as much sugar or half as much water (2:1 ratio of sugar to water) to make a rich syrup.
Storage
Store your syrup in an airtight container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate it for best results. Your syrup will stay fresh for approximately 3-4 weeks.
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Variations
Although this cardamom simple syrup is wonderful on its own, it naturally goes well with other warm spices. Consider adding a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, star anise, or organic cloves to your pan.
- Cardamom vanilla simple syrup: Add one vanilla bean (sliced lengthwise) to the pan for a beautiful floral scent.
- Cardamom clove syrup: Stir one teaspoon of whole cloves into the syrup for a really warm, spiced flavor.
- Orange cardamom simple syrup: Add the zest of one orange to your pan for a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Ginger cardamom simple syrup: Place a chopped 1-inch piece of fresh ginger in the pan for a sweet and spicy flavor.
How to Use Cardamom Syrup
This delicious syrup tastes amazing stirred into your favorite drinks, but it can also be used on sweet treats!
- Stir into iced coffee (my favorite use)
- Make a cardamom soda with sparkling water and a cinnamon stick garnish
- Drizzle over vanilla ice cream
- Stir into hot coffee or black tea for a DIY chai
- Serve with a little fresh lemon juice and sparkling water
- Sweeten Turkish coffee
FAQs
Definitely! I prefer to use the whole pods because ground cardamom can leave a little residue in the cup, but either option works well. You’ll want to use approximately 1-2 tsp of ground cardamom. Taste the syrup to see what you think before adding more; cardamom can have a really strong flavor, especially when it’s ground!
Cardamom seed has a really unique flavor. It’s bright and floral while also being warm and grounding. I like to serve it with other spices you’d find in chai, like cinnamon, clove, allspice, and even orange or vanilla. Cardamom can also taste wonderful with rose and is commonly used in savory dishes, too. You’ll find that cardamom pairs well with many of the spices in your spice cupboard and it’s a fun way to add flavor to your favorite recipes.
Personally, I used some old, dried cardamom in the pantry and used one tablespoon of crushed cardamom pods with one cup water and one cup sugar. The syrup had a great cardamom flavor without being too strong or weak.
If you’re using fresh green cardamom, you can start with 1/2 tablespoon, especially if your cardamom was expensive. The flavor will strengthen as the syrup sits, so feel free to keep the pan on low heat for a little longer and allow the mixture to cool all the way to room temperature before straining.
Related Recipes
Try these other homemade simple syrups!
- Earl Grey Syrup
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Blueberry Syrup for Cocktails
- Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- Blackberry Simple Syrup
- DIY Cranberry Simple Syrup
Cardamom Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 mortar and pestle
- 1 mason jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 – 1 Tbsp whole cardamom pods
Instructions
- Gently crush the whole cardamom pods using a mortar and pestle or pour them into a bag and whack them with a rolling pin.
- Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and heat until the sugar dissolves in the water.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then strain out the black cardamom pods using the funnel and sieve. Pour into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
I made the recipe for cardamom extract and I was happy to find this recipe as a way to get more use out of the cardamom pods. Friends have been delighted with cardamom extract and syrups for gifts lately!
That’s such a good way to use the leftover pods! I hope you enjoy the extract and the syrup. I absolutely love the taste of cardamom and find it works well with so many different things! Sounds like you do, too. 🙂