Concord Grape Syrup Recipes

CONCORD GRAPE ROYAL

Steps:

• For the Concord grape syrup: Combine the grape juice, rosemary and ginger in a 2-quart saucepan. Reduce the mixture for 1 hour over medium-low heat. When the mixture has reduced by half, add the balsamic and continue cooking until the mixture has reduced by half again, about 10 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Strain and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• For the cocktails: Add 1 ounce of the grape syrup to each champagne flute. Top with 4 ounces champagne and 2 to 3 dashes of bitters. Top each glass with a skewered grape half and orange rind piece.

HOW TO MAKE GRAPE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine the jam or jelly, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan. Measure out 1 cup (220 g) of your favorite grape jam or jelly and pour it into a small saucepan. Add ½ cup (118 ml) of light-colored corn syrup and ¼ cup (60 ml) of water and stir the ingredients to combine them.
• Heat the mixture over medium-low until the jam or jelly dissolves. As the mixture heats up, continue to stir it occasionally with a spoon or other utensil. Don't let it come to a boil! Keep heating the mixture until the jam or jelly melts into the liquid ingredients.
• Beat the syrup mixture with a whisk if it doesn't look smooth enough. Once the jam or jelly melts, remove the saucepan from the heat. You can use a wire whisk or a rotary beater to create a smoother consistency, if desired. If you're happy with the current consistency, you can skip this step.
• Use the syrup as a topping or as a base for drinks. Grape syrup makes a great topping! You can drizzle warm grape syrup on oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream sundaes, pancakes, and more. You can also use the syrup in your favorite cocktail recipes or mix it with a little soda water to make a refreshing grape drink. Try adding a splash of grape syrup to champagne for a bubbly treat. Grape syrup pairs wonderfully with warm, fresh biscuits. Refrigerate leftover syrup in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

CRANBERRY CONCORD SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine the cranberries, grape jam, grape juice, sugar and orange zest in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are very soft and easily break apart when pushed with a wooden spoon, about 20 minutes. Do not simmer too hard or the sauce may boil over.

CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• Sort and wash grapes, and remove stems. Place them into a large kettle and crush them. Add water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and extract juice. Allow the juice to stand in a cool place overnight to prevent the formation of crystals in the jelly.
• Strain the juice through a double thickness of damp cheesecloth. Measure 4 cups of the juice into a large pot. Stir in the sugar. Quickly bring to a full rolling boil. Stir in pectin, and allow to boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and skim off foam. Pour into hot sterile jars, and process for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.

SIMPLE SYRUP FOR SPICED (AND SPIKED) CONCORD GRAPE PUNCH

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup each sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Syrup can be refrigerated up to 1 week in an airtight container.

CONCORD GRAPE SORBET

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath; set aside. Combine grapes and the water in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until the liquid begins to bubble and grapes start releasing liquid, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat, and simmer until juices are dark purple and grapes begin to break apart, about 3 minutes.
• Pass mixture through a food mill and then through a fine sieve into a large bowl set in the ice bath; stir frequently until completely cool. Stir in simple syrup and lemon juice.
• Transfer mixture to an ice-cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the freezer until ready to serve, up to 2 weeks.