wine glass with cardamom simple syrup in it.
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Cardamom Simple Syrup Recipe

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This cardamom simple syrup recipe is a versatile finishing ingredient for cocktails (cardamom old fashioned!), tea, and desserts. Learn how to make this herbal and spicy syrup recipe yourself using fresh green cardamom pods!

Cardamom is the third most expensive spice in the world and rightfully so! The pods are aromatic and a little goes along way in adding a cozy, comforting kick to libations and baked cakes alike. Cardamom imbues a cinnamon like smell and flavor to food. The below cardamom simple syrup recipe comes together quickly with minimal ingredients and stove-top cook time; yet it produces stunning, flavored filled culinary results.

Crushed Cardamom Pods Produce the Freshest Aroma and Taste….

The spicy aromatic scent of green cardamom is obvious before the pods are even crushed. That is why I chose to use cardamom pods instead of powder for this recipe. One of the main ingredients used in Chai tea; cardamom is a comforting and familiar spice. Crushing the pods releases the unique flavor profile of this spice. This recipe produces a sweet, spiced, sugary syrup that mixes into cocktails and drinks that are a perfect pairing along side Indian and Scandinavian cuisines. 

photo of glass bottle containing cardamom simple syrup recipe.
Photo Credit: The Sifted Field.

A 4,000 Year Old Healthy, Spice Tradition…some Cardamom Spice History and Health Benefits

Cardamom has been a central ingredient to many cultures around the world for 4,000 years! And that information is no small wonder with it’s subtle heating on the tongue and long complex spice finish.  Cardamom has been used for centuries an an anti-inflammatory, digestive aid and research has shown the spice to have antioxidant properties as well. Adding this spice to recipes is good for you and healthy!

cardamom pods on spoon.
Ideas and Uses for Cardamom Simple Syrup Recipe:

This syrup has many uses, and not just in beverages. While I prefer to use it in the late fall and winter months, cardamom simple syrup adds a touch of sweet spice to any dish, baked good, or beverage you are looking to mix up.

  • Try adding a teaspoon to a steamy cup of tea on a cold Fall night.
  • Drizzle over a tea cake for some added flavor.
  • Add a teaspoon to homemade whipped cream and serve with apple pie.
  • Top scoops of vanilla ice cream with cardamom syrup and chopped nuts for a unique dessert idea.
  • Use in a cardamom simple syrup cocktail, adding unique spice notes and depth to your cocktails…I like to use this in a cardamom old fashioned!
  • Multiply recipe below and give as gifts for the holidays! Nothing says gift from the heart like this warming, spiced cardamom syrup poured into beautiful bottles and tied with ribbon. Give a gift of homemade chai with bottle of simple syrup in a mug, with cinnamon sticks and black tea.
a photo of a bottle of cardamom simple syrup with a white mug filled with cinnamon sticks, and tea bages next to it, ready for gift giving.
Photo Credit: The Sifted Field.

This spiced syrup can be bottled up and given as a sweet gift with some cinnamon and black tea. Cardamom + cinnamon + black tea are the base for Chai tea. The combo makes a warming appreciated gift when given in it’s own mug!

Can I use other types of sugar to make this cardamom simple syrup?

Yes, but note the the flavor outcome will be different if you use brown sugar or an other variety, expect as denser, sweeter syrup.

I don’t have cardamom pods, can I just use crushed cardamom instead?

Of course! but the flavor will have a stronger peppery tone, without some of the bright notes freshly crushed pods produce. Use the ground spice sparingly, (add less of than called for in the recipe).

Cardamom Infused Simple Syrup Storage:

Store your homemade simple syrup in the pantry for 7 days. To store for longer periods, keep the spiced simple syrup in the refrigerator for 3 months. Use the syrup before these dates or sugar crystals will start to form.

photo of glass of cardamom simple syrup recipe

Cardamom Simple Syrup Recipe

This spiced cardamom simple syrup is perfect in a cocktail or mixed into a mug of hot tea. Make sure to crush the cardamom pods fully, I use a pestle and mortar for this purpose. A kick of black pepper elevates the sharper notes found in cardamom.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Cooling 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian, scandinavian
Servings 0.5 cup
Calories 50 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 14 Whole Green Cardamom Pods crushed
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Cup Water

Instructions
 

  • Add sugar and water to a small sauce pan, heat on high until all sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently.
  • Crush cardamom with pestle until you reach a fine texture. Add crushed cardamom pods and black pepper to pot and reduce heat to medium.
    crushed cardamom in pestle
  • Simmer for another 5 minutes, then remove pot from stove and cover.
  • Allow syrup to cool to room temperature in saucepan.
  • Strain out black pepper and cardamom pods through a fine mesh sieve.
  • Place in container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 TspCalories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 372gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 18364mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 7gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 3mg
Keyword cardamom drink recipes, cardamom drinks, cardamom simple syrup recipe, cocktails, how to drink cardamom, indian, simple syrup
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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2 Comments

  1. As the mom for which this cocktail was created.. I can say that the flavors are so well considered and a delight to the palate! Truly was well matched to our Indian meal.. transported to India! Truly a drink the lingers in ones mind!

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