This mulberry syrup recipe is perfect for using up all your late-spring berries. It has a ruby-red color and a vibrant flavor. It's delicious, drizzled over yogurt or swirled into your favorite cocktail.
What is it?
Mulberries are the long, dark purple berry of the mulberry (Morus spp.) tree. They're rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.
Mulberry season is brief, lasting only a few weeks during late spring. You may be able to find the berries at farmers' markets and specialty grocers if you don't grow them yourself. Look for these items during late spring or early summer.
Mulberry syrup is a sweet syrup made by cooking fresh mulberries with sugar and water. It has a sweet, delicate quality and a dark purple color. Like cherry cordial, the syrup is concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Why this recipe works
- Making mulberry syrup is easy. You only need a single pan and a fine-mesh strainer.
- It's a great way to use up large amounts of berries so they don't go to waste.
- Mulberries are packed with polyphenols. They also provide vitamins C and K, plus minerals such as potassium and iron.
- Mulberries are fairly low in acid compared to other berries. So adding a little vinegar helps amplify their flavor.
- It's delicious, with a berry-like sweetness mellowed by notes of black tea.
Recipe Tips
- Select the best quality berries. Berries that are mushy, moldy, or close to spoiled will negatively impact the flavor of your syrup.
- Start with cold water. This gives you more time to extract all the flavor from the berries and any spices you add to the pot.
- Use the whole berry, including the stem. Since you'll strain the syrup, there's no need to separate the stems from the fruit.
- Mulberry juice stains, so wear gloves if you're concerned.
- Mash the berries as they cook to help them break down, and your syrup will have better flavor.
- Remember to add vinegar. It adds a hint of acidity to the syrup. This amplifies the mulberry flavor.
How to Use Mulberry Syrup
I love to swirl mulberry syrup into homemade yogurt for breakfast. You can also drizzle it over vanilla ice cream.
In Southwest Asia, mulberry syrup is mixed with water and ice for a simple summer drink. It also tastes delicious stirred into iced tea. Or, consider adding a few tablespoons of mulberry syrup to your favorite cocktail instead of simple syrup.
Variations + Substitutions
Substitute an equal amount of minimally processed whole cane sugar for the granulated sugar. You can also use coconut sugar and palm sugar.
Use a mix of berries, such as mulberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
Add a split vanilla bean to the saucepan along with the sugar, mulberries, and water.
A tablespoon or two of cacao nibs can bring out the flavor of the berries, too. Add the cacao to the saucepan at the same time that you add the berries, sugar, and water.
Skip the red wine vinegar and add a tablespoon of lemon juice instead.
Other Spring Fruit Recipes You'll Love
Recipe Questions
Store mulberry syrup in a tightly sealed bottle in the fridge for about 1 month.
Yes, you can freeze mulberry syrup. Freeze it in a tightly sealed container, allowing at least 2 inches of head space, for up to 6 months.
No, I don't recommend it. Granulated sugar has a clean sweetness that allows the flavor of mulberries to come through. Honey and maple syrup are both strong-tasting sweeteners that will mask the flavor of the mulberries.
The liquid ratio will change if you use a liquid sweetener instead of a dry one, such as sugar. Remember, you're using very little of the syrup when you prepare a dish or a drink.
Margaret says
Awesome recipe. My mulberry tree is fruiting right now.
Anthony says
We have this old mulberry tree on our property that has so many berries each year it’s hard to know what to do with them all. We make pies and they’re okay. Tried this syrup. It was so good on pancakes. Can I can it?
Judith C Ellis says
Can this be canned/preserved using the water bath method?