orange tarragon syrup . . . a Summer simple syrup

Our little ones gave their teachers Orange Tarragon Syrup last week during Teacher Appreciation Week.

I wanted our kids to give gifts that they could help make . . . and that (I hoped) their teachers would enjoy.

I'm a big fan of infused & flavored simple syrups! Their possibilities are endless . . . and is the best way to sweeten and flavor a beverage.

Since we're fast approaching Summer, I thought we would make a citrus flavored simple syrup . . . and Orange Tarragon is a unique and fun Summer flavor.

Isn't the color stunning!?!

A few of my favorite simple syrups are Vanilla Bean (all year), Gingerbread (in the Winter), and Orange Tarragon, Mint, Blackberry, and Lemon (in the Spring and Summer).

And here are a few amazing lemonades that I love making with flavored syrups . . .

fresh blueberry mint lemonade

peach simple syrup

the best ever blackberry mint lemonade

Simple syrups are made the same way, by boiling down water and sugar, and then adding whatever herbs or fruits you choose into a sweet syrup that can liven up any beverage; and is also wonderful spooned over shaved ice, fresh fruit  - and even ice cream.

Summer is fast approaching . . .  and simple syrups are such a  fun way to add an extra special twist to your drinks and dessert menu. 

orange tarragon syrup

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

4 - 5 oranges, juiced

bunch of fresh tarragon

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

Bring 2 cups sugar, 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1 cup cold water, and 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh tarragon leaves to a boil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, stirring just until sugar dissolves.

Boil 2 minutes. Do not stir.

Remove from heat.

Press through a wire mesh strainer into a bowl, using the back of a spoon to squeeze out liquid; discard solids.

Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Transfer to a jar; cover and refrigerate up to 3 months.

Makes 2 1/2 cups.

gifting simply syrup

.     .     .     .     .     .

Pour the syrup into a glass bottle.

Wrap the bottles with a fabric napkin or cloth, and then tie the top with twine and a tag.

Add a bottle of sparkling water to the gift set, along with fresh fruit for garnish. 

In this case, I added a bottle of Orange Sparkling Water and an orange.`

a few more home-made gift ideas . . . 

vanilla sugar

rosette vanilla bean sugar cookies

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

 on Facebook

.      .      .      .      .

& Pinterest

Thank you so much for stopping by!

I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!

Sharing with . . . .

Thoughts from Alice, DIY Showoff, Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the Hill, Three Kids and a Fish, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co, Home Remedies,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner,Imparting Grace, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Shabby Nest Sunflower Supper Club, Blooming Homestead, The Girl Creative, Reasons to Skip the Housework, View from the Fridge, 3 Little Greenwoods

vanilla sugar

Vanilla sugar is part of a home-made gift series that I'm sharing this week on the blog.

We celebrated our children's amazing teachers last week during Teacher Appreciate Week.

The PTA organized the week so that the Teachers would be treated to something special every day . . . breakfast on Monday, special days dedicated to bringing flowers and candles, and then lunch on Friday.

I wanted my little ones to bring home-made gifts. There's something extra special about the thought that goes into making something for someone. We made vanilla sugar, ROSE Vanilla Bean sugar cookies, and Orange Tarragon Syrup for our Teachers.

I hope that all the teachers felt spoiled, as I appreciate their hard work and dedication so much. My kids have amazing teachers . . . and I am so grateful to them for providing such a supportive and caring environment for which to learn.

There's something special about going the extra mile and adding fresh vanilla to your recipes, especially when vanilla is your primary flavor.

I started making my own vanilla sugar a few years ago. You can imagine my excitement when I learned how easy it was to make my very own.  See directions below.

I couldn't imagine not having vanilla extract or vanilla sugar, as I add them to almost everything I bake, including lemon and chocolate desserts. 

Its warm flavor is a perfect pairing in many baked products. I've even noticed that it's a great addition to beverages like hot cocoa, lemonade (yes, lemonade!), coffee, and even tea.

Vanilla sugar is a deliciously simple gift that keeps giving!

Since most people aren't aware of its many possibilities, be sure and include a few of its uses on a tag, or in a note card. Oh! And be sure and attach a copy of this recipe for Vanilla Bean Cream Scones. 

Go ahead, treat yourself! 

vanilla sugar

.     .     .     .      .     .     .

6 cups granulated white sugar

1 vanilla bean

.     .     .     .      .     .     .

Add the sugar to a glass jar or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

Slice the vanilla bean length-wise, piercing only the top layer of the skin. 

Press the back of the knife against the bean and up lengthwise, squeezing the oily, TINY black seeds out.

Add the seeds and the bean to the sugar. Place the lid on the container and shake it up.

Store for a week, until the vanilla infuses the sugar. 

Use in place of regular sugar wherever you desire.
Enjoy!
.     .     .     .      .     .     .
I found these darling jars at Hobby Lobby.

more home-made gift ideas . . . .

orange tarragon syrup

 

rosette vanilla bean sugar cookies

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

 on Facebook

.      .      .      .      .

& Pinterest

Thank you so much for stopping by!

I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!

Sharing with . . . .

Thoughts from Alice, DIY Showoff, Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Karen's Up on the Hill, Three Kids and a Fish, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co, Home Remedies,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner,Imparting Grace, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Shabby Nest Sunflower Supper Club, Blooming Homestead, The Girl Creative, Reasons to Skip the Housework, View from the Fridge, 3 Little Greenwoods