simple syrup

For years I've read about simple syrup, but only in the last couple months have I bothered to make it. I don't know what took me so long! I gave up soda a few months ago, and while I drank a lot of iced tea before, I drink even more now. I don't like it unsweetened, unless it's an herbal tea. DH doesn't like herbal teas, so I tend to make it plain most of the time.

Simple syrup is simply an equal measure of sugar and water, heated until the sugar is dissolved. I pour it into a glass mason jar and store it in the refrigerator. When I have a glass of tea, I dip out a spoonful and add it to my glass. I like the flavor that it imparts to tea better than granulated sugar alone and I know now the secret to some of the sweet teas that I love at certain restaurants! I used to think it was the tea they used, but now I know it's the simple syrup.

One tip, though -- don't let the sugar and water sit on the burner and boil for 20 minutes or so because you leave the kitchen and forget it's on the stove. Then, it becomes crystallized and isn't useful at all. (Why, yes, I do know that for a fact! LOL)