Our Rose Cardamom Syrup is just the thing if you are looking to add some exotic flavour to your next fruit salad or cocktail. It marries the warm, aromatic essence of cardamom with the delicate, floral notes of rose petals and rose water, with a zesty hint of lime juice to brighten things up.
Whether it's adding an aromatic twist to a morning latte, accentuating the sweet profile of a baklava or elevating a simple glass of sparkling water, its culinary versatility knows no bounds.
You Will Need
- Sugar and water: forms the base for the rest of the exotic aromatics in this syrup.
- Cardamom: an exotic spice that adds a sweet, spicy kick and warmth.
- Rose petals and rose water: add floral notes that transform a simple syrup into an aromatic wonder.
- Lime: adds a spritz of zesty lime flavour balancing the syrups sweetness with its vibrant tang.
How to Make It
Step 1 - Gather the Ingredients
Get all your ingredients together, and Split the cardamom pods in half, small kitchen scissors are perfect for this.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, split cardamom pods and rose petals.
Step 2 - Simmer the Flavours
Bring it to a boil and then gently simmer until the sugar dissolves completely. The aromatic scent that'll start to fill your kitchen is like a warm, floral hug—take it in!
Step 3 - Infuse with Patience
Continue to simmer for about 5-10 minutes. The flavours will meld beautifully if you give them time.
Then, remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the rose water and lime juice, and let the mixture cool. The lime's zesty kick will brighten the syrup's deep floral notes.
Step 4 - Strain to Perfection
Once cooled, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass jar or bottle, leaving all the solids behind. So that it’s smooth and velvety.
Step 5 - Adjust and Taste
Now's the moment to let your palate lead. Fancy a stronger cardamom whiff? Or maybe the rose could be just a touch more pronounced?
Tweak the syrup to your heart’s content. Remember, this is your masterpiece!
Versatile Pairings and Uses
- Picture it gliding over a warm, fluffy stack of pancakes, the floral notes doing a little dance with the maple flavour.
- Or imagine a drizzle into your morning latte, transforming it into an aromatic masterpiece that wakes up every taste bud.
- But wait, there's more – cocktails! A splash in a gin and tonic, and suddenly it's a botanical elixir that's out of this world.
- It makes a luxurious drizzle on lemon cheesecake or baked goods such as cake.
- Cardamom is native to India and Indonesia and related to ginger and turmeric. It is the seed pods of the cardamom plant and it is a perennial herb.
- It is a complex spice with both both green and black pods that have different flavour profiles. The green pods have a piney, citrusy, herbal aroma, while the black pods have a smoky more minty aroma.
- If you are unable to find cardamom you may substitute with a combination of cloves and cinnamon or nutmeg. For one tablespoon of cardamom use 4 cloves and 1 cinnamon stick in this recipe.
- es or muffins
- Talk about versatility – I've even folded it into whipped cream, giving my fruit salads and cakes a kiss of sophistication.
- For those warm nights, pour into ice cold sparkling water for a classy refresher.
- Drizzle it over a lemon sorbet or pool it under a cloud of panna cotta, trust me, the options are limitless with this syrup.
Tips and Questions
What is Cardamom and What Can I Use Instead?
- Cardamom is native to India and Indonesia and related to ginger and turmeric. It is the seed pods of the cardamom plant and it is a perennial herb.
- It is a complex spice with both both green and black pods that have different flavour profiles. The green pods have a piney, citrusy, herbal aroma, while the black pods have a smoky more minty aroma.
- If you are unable to find cardamom you may substitute with a combination of cloves and cinnamon or nutmeg. For one tablespoon of cardamom use 4 cloves and 1 cinnamon stick in this recipe.
TIP: Adjust Your Rosewater
- A middle eastern an Indian favourite predominantly used to flavour desserts and drinks. Rose water is made by steeping fresh rose petals in water, it has a potent and sweet “rosey” aroma.
- You should be able to find it in the International aisle or in the cake aisle of your supermarket or at a Middle Eastern speciality stor.
- While it adds something special and exotic to this recipe you may leave it out if you can't find it.
- As rosewater can vary from brand to brand you may need to adjust how much you add to your cardamom syrup, add a teapoon at a time and taste and adjust as you go.
How Much Does It Make?
- This cardamom syrup recipe makes approximately half a cup or eight tablespoon.
- The nutritional information has been calculated per tablespoon.
How Long Can I Store It For?
If stored correctly in a clean sealed glass container and kept in a cool dark place it will keep for approximately three weeks.
We Have Used It On...
Try It As An Alternative Dressing On
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon rose petals
- 1 tablespoon cardamom pods
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 tbsps rose water
Instructions
- Split the cardamom pods in half, small kitchen scissors are perfect for this.
- Add the sugar, water, split cardamom pods and rose petals in a small pan.
- Bring to the boil and then lower the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and cool for five minutes, then add the lime juice and rose water.
- Strain the syrup and discard the cardamom pods and rose petals.
- Place in a clean airtight glass bottle and store in a cool dark place for a month or so.
Jessy says
Hi,
Can we store in refrigerator in a glass jar? If yes, how many weeks? Want to make and store for 2-3 times use.
Anastasia Papapetros says
Hi Jessy,
You can certainly keep it in the fridge for a month or two. But, the sugar will crystalise. All you need to do is to run the glass jar under some lukewarm water at first so that the jar doesn't crack. Then either give it a quick blast in the microwave or place it in a saucepan of hot water and simmer until the sugar crystals dissolve.
We love it on icecream in the summer at our place, so it rarely lasts very long 😉.
Cheers
Anastasia
Jessy says
Thank you so much, Anastasia for the helpful tips…and such quick reply….! 😊
Anastasia Papapetros says
My pleasure Jessy!
Jessy says
Hi,
Can we store in refrigerator in a glass jar? If yes, how many weeks? Want to make and store for 2-3 times use.