Drinks · Photography

Pine needle syrup

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In the spring we make pine syrup after we harvest the new pine spruce. We use the syrup for Christmas cocktails because of the rich flavor or when we are sick.
My husband made a vodka pine flavor last year and he loved the idea. This year he is gone try again.
Go and have fun foraging the pine trees with your family. We did this year a photo shoot also. Imagine my little one asking for photos near the small trees. It was a great day to spend with my family.

Ingredients:

– 4 cups fresh pine spruce needles
– 8 Cups water
– 2 cup sugar

Directions:

In a saucepan combine the needles with water. Cook until liquid is reduced about 40 minutes. Stir the sugar until completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.

I replaced the sugar with honey. I liked it too.
Most of the recipes say to refrigerate for 1 month. I can tell you that I have syrup since 2 years ago and is great. I put them in small bottles.

My favorite drink is 2 teaspoons of syrup and ½ liter of water. In the summer make refreshment out of this cocktail with mint leaves, lemon and lots of ice.

Enjoy!

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81 thoughts on “Pine needle syrup

  1. A question – “pine” and “spruce” are two different kinds of coniferous trees. I can see that you are using spruce tips, but do you know what kind of spruce? In fact, I’m wondering if they are balsam fir! Can you post a photo of the tree, or a branch of the tree and/or describe where they are growing? Thanks.

  2. I am used to using pine for hot tea in winter. I love this idea and your recipe for a summer drink would be wonderful. Where I live the summers are very hot and humid. Thanks.

  3. Great post! This was a great reminder for me. Its been a couple of years since I’ve taken the time to do this and I realized I missed it. Thank you!

  4. I used to pick up pine spruce needles, with my parents in the Carpathian Mountains and make syrup. Reading your post was an opportunity to remember my childhood. Thanks!

  5. That is so interesting! I’ve never had pine needle syrup drinks before, sounds lovely to make and try! 🌲😀

  6. That sounds amazing. I never even dreamed about that. How do you use it medicinally? Also, I am a new blogger so I’m curious how long it took you to get so many followers?

  7. If I wasn’t allergic to pine trees and everything on them I would definitely try it. Didn’t know they were even edible

  8. Will absolutely try it. I’m a pastry chef, and love experimentation and flavor pairing. An FYI.. there’s a boutique Portland company called Clear Creek Distillery that produces Eau de Vie of Douglas Fir, a brandy. Luscious and very fragrant.

  9. Sounds like it’s a wonderful syrup. For a tree freak like me it’s just perfect! I just pruned a bunch of spruce and pine, but it sounds like you do this in early spring so I’ll wait till next year to make some. Just FYI tho, there is no “pine spruce”. Spruce (Picea) is in the Pine (Pinus) family, true, but it’s a separate genus and they’re two different plants. It looks like you’re using Spruce needles in your pictures. No big deal – just thought you might like to know… 🙂 Thanks for this nice post, and for visiting me… Great blog!

  10. It’s a brilliant idea, thanks for sharing! I feel like it might make for a great gin cocktail! … how long do u steep the leaves in the syrup before u filter them out?

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