Why 'Tart Syrup' Is The Pantry Staple You Never Knew You Needed

Everyone gets stuck in a rut when it comes to those at-home meals. Maybe you don't have a ton of extra time to dedicate to cooking, or perhaps you just don't know how to make a basic Monday night meatloaf more exciting. Whatever the case may be, there is one thing that a lot of home chefs miss when making dinner — a tasty sauce. A good sauce or marinade can elevate a dish to the next level, and a bad one can ruin the entire meal. If you aren't sure how to make a decent sauce or marinade, don't worry, there are many pre-made options that you can purchase and add to your dishes.

If you think that you have the skills to make sauce or marinade at home, you are probably right. It's not as hard as you might think, and you can start small by practicing with a surprising pantry staple — a tart syrup.

If you've ever had a sweet cocktail at a local bar or a decadent dessert at your favorite restaurant, you've probably had tart syrup. Tart syrup, also called sour syrup, is just a variation of simple syrup. It's made with a higher ratio of acidic ingredients, such as lemon or lime juice, to sweeteners. It's a tasty and easy way to add flavor to cocktails and other drinks, such as a whiskey cocktail or limeade. It's also wonderful to add to desserts and side dishes, like drizzling some on a white cake or over Brussels sprouts.

Tart syrup can be used as a salad dressing, or as a glaze for meats and vegetables. It can also be added to other sauces to give them a more unique flavor. For example, you can add maple syrup to BBQ sauce to make it sweeter, but if you want a tangier sauce, tart syrup would do the trick nicely. Just be sure to add it slowly and taste the sauce as you go along so that you add the right amount. You don't want it to be too sour!

Tart syrup has many uses, from dessert drinks and salads to bakes and slow-cooked meats, making it a versatile pantry staple. Bonus? You can easily make it at home. Simply mix one cup of sugar, one cup of water, and one cup of lemon or lime juice together. Then, heat the mixture on the stove, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved thoroughly. 

Of course, tart syrup can be purchased at stores, but the good thing about making it yourself is that you can control how sweet and sour to make it by the amount of citric juice you use in the ratio. If you want it less sour, use less citric juice. Tart syrup is one ingredient you should keep on hand for different recipes, but remember that flavored syrups only last a few weeks in the refrigerator, as long as it's sealed in an airtight container. You should label the container with the date you make the syrup and toss it out after about three weeks.