What is Cardamom Syrup?
Cardamom syrup is a sweet, fragrant liquid made using three simple ingredients: green cardamom pods, honey, and water. The cardamom pods are gently heated in a saucepan along with honey and water, stirring until the sweetener dissolves completely.
The mixture is left to steep, allowing the rich flavor of cardamom to infuse the syrup, resulting in an aromatic and flavorful syrup used to enhance cocktails, mocktails, coffee, tea, baked goods, sauces, and marinades with the warm spice.
What Does Cardamom Syrup Taste Like?
Cardamom pods have a strong and distinct flavor; if you’ve had chai from India or Pakistan, you’ve definitely tasted cardamom. In the syrup, the aromatic spice produces a citrusy and warm flavor with a subtle hint of spice, allowing you to use the syrup to flavor sweet or savory dishes.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
- Water: Use water to dissolve honey and create syrup.
- Honey: Simple syrup requires a sweetener, and we use honey for this recipe. It lends sweetness and acts as the primary flavor component.
- Cardamom: Crushed cardamom pods contain tiny black seeds that are fragrant, slightly sweet, and spicy.
Additions and Substitutions
Add to the overall flavor of the syrup by including a cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, vanilla extract, lemon peel, apple peel, or orange peel to the mixture. You can also replace the honey in this recipe with sugar, syrup, or agave nectar.
How to Make Cardamom Simple Syrup
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine honey, water, and cardamom pods in a saucepan and warm it over medium heat. Stir until the honey completely dissolves.
Step 2: Remove the pan from heat and set it aside to steep for at least 10 minutes.
Step 3: Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer into an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- For the best results, use fresh cardamom pods.
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the back of a spoon or in a mortar and pestle to release more of their flavor.
- The standard ratio for simple syrup is equal parts water and sweetener. However, you can adjust it based on your preference. For sweeter syrup, add more; for lighter syrup, use less.
- Don’t let the mixture boil. Once the honey has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Once cooled and steeped, transfer it to an airtight container.
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Ways to Use Cardamom Simple Syrup
- Cocktails and Mocktails: Use cardamom simple syrup in classic cocktails like an old fashioned or mojito as a substitute for simple syrup. The cardamom-infused syrup also pairs well with gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey-based drinks. If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, use them to enhance mocktails, lemonade, or soda.
- Coffee or Tea: Add a splash of syrup to your hot or iced coffee. It also works well in chai and other herbal teas. Make a London fog, giving it a hint of warmth and spice.
- Baking: Brush cardamom simple syrup over cakes, cupcakes, or pastries. You can also use it to flavor homemade ice cream, overnight oat recipes, or pancakes.
- Salad Dressing and Sauce: Simple syrup with cardamom can be a surprise addition to salad dressings and sauces. Combine it with olive oil, vinegar, and other seasonings to create a unique salad dressing, or drizzle it over grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
- Marinade and Glaze: Include the syrup in a marinade or glaze for meats, seafood, or vegetables; this works well for stir fry since the honey and high heat would encourage tasty caramelization.
What to do With the Leftovers
- Storage – Let the mixture cool completely and transfer it to a clean, airtight container; store the Cardamom simple syrup in the refrigerator for one month. To extend the shelf life of your simple syrup, you can adjust the ratio to two parts sugar and one part water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice that comes in two main types: green cardamom, which has a fresh and slightly citrusy taste with a hint of sweetness, and black cardamom, known for its smoky and earthy flavor. The green cardamom pods have a coarse green outer shell filled with tiny black seeds that contain all the flavor.
This aromatic spice is versatile and adds flavor to chai, Indian mango lassi, curries, desserts, bread, soup, and rice dishes.
Can I use ground cardamom instead of whole cardamom?
You sure can, but you only need one teaspoon of ground cardamom. Add it to the saucepan along with the honey and water. Cook and stir the mixture until the sweetener completely dissolves and set it aside to cool. Since the ground cardamom will still be grainy, I recommend straining it through a cheesecloth or paper towel since the holes in a mesh strainer would be too large.
Where can I buy cardamom?
Check out your local grocery store’s spice section and they should have it. If not, visit a local Indian or Asian grocery store and they should carry the spice. Otherwise, purchase cardamom online from the comfort of your home.
What’s the best ratio for simple syrup?
The ratio of sugar to water can vary depending on the desired sweetness, but I typically use equal parts sweetener and water.
More Recipes with Cardamom:
Cardamom Simple Syrup
- Airtight Container
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- Combine honey, water, and cardamom pods in a saucepan and warm it over medium heat. Stir until the honey completely dissolves.
- Remove the pan from heat and set it aside to steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer into an airtight container.
- Lightly crush the cardamom pods with the back of a spoon or in a mortar and pestle to release more of their flavor.
- The standard ratio for simple syrup is equal parts water and sweetener. However, you can adjust it based on your preference. For sweeter syrup, add more; for lighter syrup, use less.
- Once the honey has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Once cooled and steeped, transfer it to an airtight container.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.