It's ready in minutes, lasts for months, and dissolves quickly in iced tea and other cold drinks.

1. In a small saucepan, stir together 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar.

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is translucent, about 30 seconds.

3. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container; chill, up to six months. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Variation
Add slices of fresh ginger or strips of citrus peel at the end of step 2; let steep while mixture cools. Before storing, strain and discard solids.

Serving Suggestions
Use simple syrup to sweeten iced tea or coffee, and to make fresh lemonade or your favorite cocktails, including margaritas. Or toss with fresh fruit, such as chopped cantaloupe and honeydew. Mix flavored syrups with seltzer water for homemade sodas.