Simple syrup water-bath canning? - Ask Extension (2024)

Hello! I've been scouring the internet and am unable to find an answer to this question: Can *plain* (no fruit) simple syrups be safely canned in a water bath? I'm interested in making infused simple syrups (vanilla, mint, lavender) for wedding favors and want to make them shelf-stable so I can have them ready ahead of time, but can't find an answer as to whether a plain sugar-water syrup, without the additional acid from fruit, can be safely canned in a water-bath canner. Many thanks for any expertise you can provide!

Hi there,

Great idea for a wedding favor! Yes, you may can simple syrup.When canning, it is very important to follow a research tested recipe.It is notrecommended to add in herbs such as mint or lavender as this might alter the ph and could lead to foodborne illness.A good way to incorporate these herbs into your wedding favors is to tie them on the outside of the jar as a decorative item. However, you can add dry spices to the syrup such as cinnamon since these dry spices won't alter the ph.

Check out the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving or So Easy to Preserve from University of Georgia for some ideas.

Few options:

There is a recipe for praline syrup that uses vanilla in the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, which I have heard is delicious from those who have tried it.

See this source for making the syrup for canning (you can make the syrup and can it alone without the fruit):

National Center for Home Food Preservation | How Do I? Can Fruits (uga.edu)

See this source for using the juices from berries to make the syrup:

National Center for Home Food Preservation | How Do I? Can Fruits (uga.edu)

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 14, 2022, 12:23 PM EDT