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Loading...If you want a decadent nightcap without the calories, our five-minute stevia simple syrup recipe is here to save the day and (your waistline). Made in a jiffy with stevia — a sugar substitute derived from plants — this simple syrup will keep cocktail hour sweet, light, and guilt-free.
Tools Needed
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cup
- Whisk
- Syrup container (cruet or other)
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup powdered stevia
Optional: Add a pinch of salt to cut the subtle bitterness of stevia. If you’re feeling uber posh, try adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon of vanilla, peppermint, or orange extract after removing the mixture from the heat.
How to Make
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, add the stevia and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour into a container and store in the refrigerator. It should keep for two to three weeks.
Stevia Simple Syrup Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 0
- Total carbohydrates: 0
- Total sugar: 0
What Is Stevia?
Let’s back up here. If you’re trying to kick a sucrose habit, you may be unfamiliar with stevia. So, what exactly is this magical, calorie-free fairy dust?
Stevia is a sugar substitute derived from the South American shrub Stevia rebaudiana. Native people have been using this plant for centuries, chewing the leaves for a sweet pick-me-up or even to treat parasites. Talk about versatility, right?
About 40 years ago, stevia became commercially available in the U.S. and has been attracting low-carb zealots ever since. Most say the sugar substitute has a slightly bitter, menthol-like aftertaste. To cut this flavor, add a dash of salt to your stevia simple syrup recipe.
Best Stevia Brands
Boy howdy, the sugar aisle is overwhelming these days. Between mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and other hard-to-pronounce sugar stand-ins, picking a zero-calorie sweetener can be super confusing. But it doesn’t have to be.
Next time you visit the grocery store, look for these four stevia brands.
- Microingredients Stevia Sweetener With Erythritol: If you’re looking for a stevia product with little to no aftertaste, go with this one. It’s made with stevia and erythritol, a surprisingly tasty substance naturally found in grapes.
- 365 by Whole Foods Market Stevia Extract Powder: It can be hard—nay, almost impossible—to find 100 percent unadulterated stevia without fillers. But Whole Foods pulled it off.
- Whole Earth Stevia and Monk Fruit Plant-Based Sweetener: These tiny packets come in handy if you want to scale down the stevia simple syrup recipe for a single cocktail.
- Truvia: Made from erythritol and stevia leaf extract. Truvia is one of the most popular stevia brands today and it comes in easy refined-sugar-like form or packets.
How to Use Stevia Simple Syrup
Normally, simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water. But since stevia is 200 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar, this recipe tweaks the ratios to keep things tasty and balanced.
Still, it’s recommended that you use the stevia simple syrup sparingly. If your favorite mojito calls for ½ ounce of simple syrup, start with ¼ ounce and taste. If it isn’t sweet enough, add a dash more.
FAQs
What does stevia taste like?
To sugar-substitute newbies, stevia can taste a little bitter. But once your palate adjusts, you won’t be able to tell the difference between it and real sugar. (As for your love handles? They’ll definitely be able to tell the difference.)
Can I use stevia simple syrup like normal simple syrup?
Since stevia is cloyingly sweet, you don’t want to be too heavy-handed with this stuff. For example, if your favorite Old Fashioned recipe calls for a teaspoon of simple syrup, start with half that and go from there.
Is stevia simple syrup keto-friendly?
Since stevia contains no calories or carbs, it’s perfect for a keto diet. Pair it with a low-carb alcohol, like gin, and you’ll have a guilt-free cocktail in no time.
How long can you keep stevia simple syrup?
If stored in the fridge in an airtight container, stevia simple syrup should keep for two to three weeks.
