Blood Orange Simple Syrup, Two Ways

Blood Orange Simple Syrup

makes about 2 cups

1 cup filtered water

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice, strained

1. Add the water and sugar to a medium sauce pot. Stir until most, if not all, of the sugar is dissolved in the water.

2. Stir in the blood orange juice.

3. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until reduced and slightly thickened.

5. Allow the syrup to cool completely.

8. Pour the cooled syrup into an airtight container. The refrigerated blood orange simple syrup should last up to two weeks.

Spiced Blood Orange Simple Syrup

makes about 1 cup

1/2 cup filtered water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice, strained

3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

3 star anise blades

2 whole cloves

2 whole allspice

1 cinnamon stick

1. Add the water and sugar to a medium sauce pot. Stir until most, if not all, of the sugar is dissolved in the water.

2. Stir in the blood orange juice. Add in the cardamom, star anise, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon stick.

3. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until reduced and slightly thickened.

5. After 10 minutes, remove the saucepot from the burner and let sit for an additional 10 minutes.

6. Strain the syrup through a fine sieve. Discard the spices.

7. Allow the spiced blood orange syrup to cool completely.

8. Pour the cooled syrup into an airtight container. The refrigerated spiced blood orange simple syrup should last up to two weeks.