If you’ve never tried cascara, you’re in for a treat. Cascara is the dried fruit, or “coffee cherry”, that surrounds the coffee bean. Instead of tasting like coffee, it has a naturally sweet, fruity flavor that tastes like cherry and raisin.
This easy cascara simple syrup is perfect for sweetening coffee, tea, sparkling water, and even drizzling over pancakes or desserts.
What Is Cascara?
Cascara is Spanish for “husk” or “peel”. It is the dried fruit that surrounds the coffee bean. While coffee beans are roasted to make coffee, the fruit is often dried and brewed into a tea or used to make syrups like this one.
Despite coming from the coffee plant, cascara doesn’t taste like coffee. Instead, it has a naturally sweet, fruity flavor that tastes like cherry and raisin. It also contains a small amount of caffeine making it a unique ingredient for drinks and desserts.
If you haven’t tried cascara before, I definitely recommend you give it a try!
Equipment Needed
Coffee Syrup Dispenser or Jar
Fine Mesh Strainer
Kettle
Saucepan
Ingredients
Cascara
Water
Sugar
Directions
Place the cascara in a small bowl.
Heat your water to about 195° F (90°C) and pour it over the cascara.
Let it steep for 5 minutes.
Strain the liquid into a small saucepan, discarding the cascara.
Add sugar and heat on medium high, stirring until dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium low.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Transfer the syrup to a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate.
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If you make this Cascara Simple Syrup, I’d love to hear how you used it!
Leave a comment below or tag me on Pinterest so I can see your creations.
Be sure to check out my other recipes below.

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