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About Gum Arabic Syrup
Simple syrup, sometimes called “sugar syrup,” is a basic sweetener that’s commonly used in cocktails. In its simplest form, it’s made by dissolving sugar in water to create a smooth, sweet liquid.
Gum arabic syrup, also known as gomme syrup, is a classic variation that incorporates gum arabic, a natural plant resin that gives the syrup a richer texture and a slightly fuller mouthfeel. Traditionally used by 19th-century bartenders, the addition of gum arabic helps emulsify ingredients, soften sharp edges in spirits, and create cocktails with a silky, rounded body.
Unlike standard simple syrup, gum arabic syrup enhances both the texture and balance of a drink without adding extra flavor. When made at home, it produces a smooth, crystal-clear sweetener that elevates classic cocktails—from spirit-forward drinks to delicate sours—by lending them a subtle viscosity and luxurious finish that ordinary syrup can’t quite match.
Cocktails I Made with Gum Arabic Syrup
Gum Arabic Syrup Ingredients
To make this syrup, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Pure Cane Granulated Sugar: This is a refined sweetener made from sugarcane juice that’s been crystallized and dried into uniform, free-flowing white crystals.
Water: This is a clear, tasteless, and odorless liquid that’s composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Gum Arabic Powder: This is a natural, water-soluble resin that’s derived from the sap of acacia trees and is commonly used as a stabilizer, thickener, or emulsifier in food and beverages.
Brands I Used
How to Make Gum Arabic Syrup
There are two common ways to prepare and store gum arabic syrup, each with their own advantages depending on the tools you have on hand and how much control you want during the process.
Cooking Methods
Sous Vide Method: This is my preferred approach for making most cocktail syrups—a method I first found in the book Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails. By sealing the ingredients and heating them in a temperature-controlled water bath, the sugar dissolves gradually while the gum arabic hydrates evenly. The steady, low heat also helps create a smooth, consistent syrup without the risk of scorching or over-reducing, which can happen when cooking on direct heat.
Stovetop Method: This is the traditional method, and it works well enough if you don’t have an immersion circulator. The ingredients are heated together in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the gum arabic fully incorporates. While it’s quicker and requires less equipment, you’ll need to pay more attention to the syrup to prevent the mixture from overheating or developing an uneven texture.
Gum Arabic Syrup Tools
To make this syrup using the sous vide method, you’ll need the following tools:
Stockpot: This is a large, deep cooking pot with straight sides and a flat bottom that’s typically used for preparing soups, stocks, sauces, or other recipes that require simmering larger quantities of liquid.
Immersion Circulator: This is a compact kitchen device that heats and continuously circulates water to maintain a consistent temperature for precision cooking.
Measuring Cup Set: This is a collection of cups and spoons in varying sizes, typically featuring easy-to-read markings and durable, easy-to-handle designs, that’s used to accurately measure both dry and liquid ingredients.
Food Scale: This is a kitchen tool that’s used to accurately measure the weight of ingredients, helping ensure precise portions and consistent results in cooking and baking.
Blender: This is a kitchen appliance with rotating blades that chops, purees, or emulsifies ingredients into smooth liquids or mixtures.
Large Freezer Bag: This is a resealable plastic bag with an interlocking closure at the top that’s used for storing, freezing, or transporting food securely.
Small Spring Clips: These are small, spring-loaded clips that are used to hold objects securely together.
Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a bar tool with a tightly woven mesh that’s used to strain small ice shards, pulp, and other solids from mixed drinks for a smooth, clean pour.
Pour Spout Measuring Cup: This is a container that’s marked with volume measurements and equipped with a spout to precisely control pouring liquids.
Silicone Spatula: This is a flexible, heat-resistant kitchen tool that’s used for stirring, scraping, and folding ingredients in bowls or pans without scratching the cookware.
Silicone Funnel: This is a flexible, heat-resistant funnel used to easily transfer liquids or powders into containers with narrow openings without spilling.
Tools I Used
- 🔗 All-Clad D3 3-Ply 8 Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot
- 🔗 Instant Pot Accu Slim Immersion Circulator
- 🔗 OXO 8 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set
- 🔗 OXO Good Grips Everyday Glass Food Scale
- 🔗 Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPowder Electronic Bar Blender
- 🔗 Ziploc Gallon Freezer Bags
- 🔗 Romeda 3 ½ Inch Spring Clamps
- 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
- 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
- 🔗 OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday Spatula
- 🔗 Olamar Premium Silicone Kitchen Funnel Set
How to Store Gum Arabic Syrup
After your gum arabic syrup is ready, it’ll need to be chilled to preserve freshness.
- Refrigerator Storage: For short-term use, I transfer the syrup to a condiment squeeze bottle or airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator. This method is great when I plan to use the syrup in cocktails within a few days, since the bottle or jar makes it easy to measure and pour without mess.
- Freezer Storage: For long-term storage, I transfer the syrup to a flexible pouch with a pouring spout, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion as it freezes. I’ll then thaw the pouch in a bowl of water when I’m ready to use the syrup again.
Flavored syrups like this one typically stay fresh for one to two weeks in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer. To keep track of freshness, I recommend labeling your containers with the date the syrup was made so you know when to enjoy or discard each batch.
Containers I Used
Squeeze Bottle: This is a flexible, squeezable container with a narrow spout that’s designed for dispensing liquids or sauces in controlled amounts.
Storage Pouch with Pouring Spout: This is a flexible, resealable container that’s designed for storing liquids so they can easily be poured without spills.
Recipe
Gum Arabic Syrup
Description
Gum arabic syrup is a refined cocktail sweetener made by blending sugar syrup with gum arabic, creating a smooth, glossy liquid with a slightly richer body than standard simple syrup. This classic ingredient enhances the texture and balance of cocktails, adding a subtle silkiness that softens sharp edges and gives drinks a more polished, luxurious mouthfeel.
Method: Sous Vide
Serving Size: 16 (1 fl oz each)
Ingredients
Method
Fill a large stockpot with hot water, attach immersion circulator to the side of the pot, and set temperature to 135°F.
Add 225 g sugar and 28 g gum arabic powder to a blender, then blend for 30–60 seconds until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Measure out 225 ml hot water, then slowly pour into blender with sugar and blend for 30–60 seconds until sugar is fully dissolved.
Add sugar and water mixture to a high-quality, sealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible as you seal it.
Once the water has heated to 135°F, submerge the bag, leaving the top 3–4 inches outside of the water, and secure it to the side of the pot with clips so it doesn’t float.
Let syrup cook at 135°F for 2 hours, checking occasionally to make sure the bag remains submerged and the water temperature stays consistent.
Once cooked, carefully remove the bag from the water and place it into an ice bath for a few seconds, then let syrup cool for 5–10 minutes.
Strain syrup through a fine mesh strainer 1–2 times to remove any undissolved sugar.
Using a funnel, pour syrup into a squeeze bottle or reusable pouch and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
