Simple Syrup (Ater)

Simple Syrup (Ater) is an aromatic thickened sugary syrup. People use it very often in and on many popular Middle-Eastern desserts! You simply drizzle this syrup over your favorite baked, fried, or non-baked desserts. From kanafa, ashta, osmaliyi, atayif, aish elsaraya, to halawet elriz, and so many more. You can use it to enhance and maximize their taste value!

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The Beauty of Simple Syrup (Ater)

Well, for starters, Simple Syrup (Ater) is super easy to make. You can have literally all done in 15 minutes! You can use it hot, as many Arabic dessert recipes call for. Or, you can wait about 20 to 30 minutes for it to cool and pour it over your favorite desserts.

Furthermore, it’s a versatile syrup. Yes, it’s often used on Arabic fried or baked desserts, but there’s more to it than that. You can drizzle it over your favorite fruits to give them added sweetness. Do you enjoy aromatic coffee or tea? Well then, add a teaspoon of this syrup to your mug or cup and enjoy! It’s also a great addition to lemonade, YUM! Trust me when I say, it’s a must try!

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Variations on Simple Syrup

Since in its traditional form the Middle Eastern simply syrup is aromatic, you can add to its flavor as you desire. There are quite a few ways to change up ater to your liking.

Traditional Simple Syrup (Ater)

In its most original form, Ater is made with water, white sugar, blossom water, rose water, and lemon juice. Pretty simple and straightforward. Water to sugar ratio is important to get the desired thickness as well as the lemon juice. Not only does the lemon juice help with thickness it also balances out the level sweetness from the sugar. Your aromatic flavors come from the rose and blossom water. You can uses either one or both for a more powerful flavor!

Brown Simple Syrup

You can make your simple syrup brown in a couple of ways. First, you’re probably wondering why you would want it brown. Well, some desserts call for a brown syrup to add color to a dish and others for a more caramelized flavor. Either way, it’s easy to make.

You can either simply replace white sugar for brown! Or, you can cook the sugar in a pan on medium to high heat and continually mix until it becomes caramelized! You can even add some maple syrup for a lighter brown color and extra flavor!

Other Simple Syrups

If you’re looking for a sugar substitute, it’s possible. You can use honey instead of sugar and simply add a bit of water and whatever other aromatic flavors you’d like. Mix them well and you have a syrup.

You can use sweeteners of your choice as well. You can make it using a powder sweetener of your preference like Xylitol or Stevia. Just be careful because these powdered sweeteners are much finer than regular sugar. So, this means that water ratios must be adjusted to meet thickness requirements.

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Aromatic Alternatives for Simple Syrup

• Boil the simple syrup with cinnamon sticks or add in some nutmeg
• You can create an herbal simple syrup using lavender, mint, and rosemary
• Create a citrus-flavored syrup by adding lemon, lime, or orange zest

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Ingredients for Simple Syrup (Ater)

• water
• granulated sugar
• blossom water
• lemon juice
• *optional rose water 

How to Make Simple Syrup

1. In a small pot place the water, sugar, and blossom water.  Stir until sugar dissolves. 
2. Bring mixture to a boil, add the 2 tablespoons of lemon.  Bring heat to low, for about 10-15 minutes. 
3. Drizzle syrup over your favorite desserts. Syrup – atir- will thicken once it comes to room temperature.
4. Store simple syrup/atir in an air tight container, for at least 6 months.

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Other Delicious Recipes to Make

• Easy Kunafa with Mozzarella Cheese
• Sweet Potato Bake Filled with Walnuts
• Pan-Fried Honey Cinnamon Bananas
• Lebanese Maamoul Cookies
• Halawet El Riz- Rice and Cheese Cream
• Osmaliyi Dessert

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