Simple syrup is easy enough to make, but this “pot” on display at the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society’s museum puts my paltry efforts to shame.
The pot’s instructions: Fill with sugar to center ridge. Add 2 gallons boiling water. Stir.
My version #1: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a sauce pan, say a half cup or cup of each, depending on how much you need. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cool, pour into a glass jar, seal and refrigerate.
My version #2: For a sweeter syrup, combine two parts sugar to one part water in a sauce pan. Proceed as above.
When there’s no time for cooking and cooling: Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a glass jar. Seal tightly, and then shake until the sugar’s mostly dissolved. Take a break. Drink some wine. Shake some more, until sugar is completely dissolved. Use immediately.