The Best Grape Syrup Recipe || Easy Simple Syrup

Grape syrup is a tasty and versatile sweetener that can elevate many dishes. This irresistibly sweet treat is surprisingly easy to make and it’s just bursting full of natural grape flavor.

Because it’s made with fresh grapes it carries the true essence of the fruit; sweet, juicy, and vibrant.

Unlike the products sold in grocery stores that are so often made with flavored commercial syrups that do not contain any fruit.

There are no artificial additives or preservatives in this fruit syrup. And you can even control the level of sweetness in the recipe to fit your own personal taste.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to make this heavenly elixir; step-by-step. So that you can keep it on hand to use in your own kitchen whenever you’re craving something a little sweet and fruity.

What Is Grape Syrup?

Grape syrup is basically simple syrup with a definitive sweet grape flavor. It is made by simmering fresh grapes with sugar and water until they transform into a rich, flavorful liquid that has a syrupy consistency. 

It has a vibrant purple hue and a sweet, fruity taste. This sweet syrup is both refreshing and indulgent. And making it at home puts you in control of keeping it as natural as possible. 

It can be used many different ways in the kitchen. We’ll talk more about that later in this post.

Choosing The Fruit For This Recipe

The first step to making homemade grape syrup is to choose the right grapes. Ideally, you’ll want grapes that are ripe but not overly ripe for the best flavor.

Take the time to look them over and make sure that they are free of blemishes. Give them a gentle squeeze to ensure that they are firm to the touch.

You can use any variety of grape to make this delicious syrup. Just consider what flavor the grape you choose is going to impart to it.

Red grapes, purple grapes, and black grapes tend to have the richest and sweetest taste. Green grapes will likely result in a more tart syrup.

And with all of that said, there is the idea that it is not only the color of the grape that determines the end result of the flavor of the syrup. But the variety plays a part too.

The easiest way to choose the grape that’s right for you is to taste it first. I am using red concord grapes for the recipe I’m making for this post.

They are just sweet enough for me, very affordable, and, as a rule, readily available.

Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe

This simple grape syrup recipe uses just a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need …

• Grapes – See above if you need help picking out the right variety for you.
• Sugar – White granulated sugar is used for this recipe. You can switch it out for some brown sugar when you want a change. Or, for some honey or maple syrup if you want a healthier alternative.
• Water – You can use water from your tap if it’s not treated. Otherwise, pick up some bottled spring water at the store.

How To Make This Grape Syrup Recipe

Making this syrup is quick and easy to do. I’ll go over the process with you step-by-step.

First remove all of the grapes from the stems and wash them thoroughly. Slice them in half and place them in a medium saucepan.

Add the sugar and the water to the pan and place it on the stovetop on medium-high heat.

When the water begins to boil, lower the temperature of the burner so that the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.

Hint: Start with hot water from the tea kettle and this process will go more quickly.

Simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir regularly with a wooden spoon. And as the grapes soften, use a potato masher to squish them the best you can.

This will encourage the flavorful juices from the fruit to immerse into the liquid.

You can use an immersion blender here if you want to. But, I prefer the potato masher. The blender will turn the fruit into a sort of grape puree, and it’s harder to strain out the pulpy bits later.

Remove the pan from the heat. Run the mixture through a, flour sack towel lined, strainer over a bowl to remove the pulp.

After the bulk of the liquid has drained from the pulp, tie the rest of it off in the towel and hang it over a dish to drain completely.

The syrup will collect in the bowl. And it will sit and cool at the same time. Once it’s cooled to room temperature, put it in an airtight container for storage.

Glass bottles and canning jars are perfect for this.

If the syrup isn’t thick enough for your liking, return it to the stove and bring it to a simmer a second time. Allow it to cook until it is reduced to the thickness you desire. 

How To Serve Grape Syrup

The possibilities for serving this syrup are really just endless. Here are some ways for you to enjoy it …

Use it to top your favorite desserts. It goes great with ice cream. Try plain old vanilla ice cream and the grape flavor of the syrup will really shine through.

It’s fantastic on top of cheesecake too. You can even drizzle a little bit over a dish of rice pudding if you like. Or stir some into plain yogurt for a sweet and tangy mid-day treat.

This syrup makes a delicious alternative to traditional maple syrup on the breakfast table. Drizzle it over pancakes, French toast, or waffles.

It’s particularly good if you warm it first when serving it this way.

Who doesn’t want to top their breakfast with some tasty hot syrup?!?! Especially some tasty hot grape syrup!

But, with all of these different ways to use this great treat in the kitchen, my very favorite is to add it to cold drinks.

And, I’ll be honest, for me that usually just means putting a little bit in a tall glass of club soda. So darn delicious!

It’s great in lemonade and iced tea too! It just makes a really refreshing summer drink.

There’s a recipe for sparkling blueberry lemonade on the blog that you can try out too, if you find yourself falling down the rabbit hole of refreshing summer drinks this summer!

Don’t hesitate to jazz your beverages up with an extra bit of flavor when you make them. Adding some orange zest, or a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice just makes the drink taste even better.

The great thing about this concord grape syrup is that it can be used just like any other simple syrup. So, don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen and find your favorite way to serve it! 

How To Store Grape Syrup

A little bit of this syrup goes a long way. So, you’re going to want to store the rest of it properly to maintain it’s freshness. 

If you put it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge it will last a couple of weeks. Honestly, that’s the safe number. It will likely last longer. Just keep an eye on it for signs of spoilage.

If you see any discoloration or mold, or if it starts to smell a little off toss it out. And make a new batch. 

Note: You can make this kind of fruit flavored simple syrup using different fruit varieties. Try them all. My favorites are cantaloupe and green apple.

Making fruit syrups at home is easy and fun. It’s allows you to add a burst of fruity sweetness to your dishes and beverages whenever you like. And it takes just a few ingredients and a little bit of time.

These sweet syrups are sure to become staples in your house. Enjoy them. And share the love with all of your family and friends!

Recommended For You

If you loved this grape syrup recipe, be sure to explore more ideas in our Preserving Fruits section. We’ve got plenty of tips and recipes to help you make the most of fresh fruit and preserve its goodness for later. Happy preserving!

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