Elevate your favorite drinks and desserts with this Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup recipe! Made with all-natural ingredients, this homemade pistachio syrup delivers an exceptionally rich, thick, nutty pistachio flavor that transforms everything from matcha lattes and iced coffee to cocktails, mocktails, milkshakes, and dessert recipes. Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream for an extra touch of pistachio goodness. A delicious way to bring pistachio flavor to countless homemade creations!
Its bold flavor is perfect in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte! To learn how to make this delicious pistachio simple syrup recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. For other recipe variations and to learn about the health benefits of pistachios, please visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Printable recipe card below.)
CREAMY PISTACHIO SIMPLE SYRUP
Made with all-natural ingredients, this homemade Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup delivers an exceptionally rich, thick, nutty pistachio flavor that transforms everything from matcha lattes and iced coffee to cocktails, mocktails, milkshakes, and dessert recipes. Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream for an extra touch of pistachio goodness. Its bold flavor is perfect in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte!
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, prepare an ice bath (cold tap water + ice cubes). Add cool water to a small saucepan (2 quart), and bring to a boil. Add pistachios, and blanch for ONLY 20 SECONDS (no longer), quickly remove from heat, and immediately drain into a mesh strainer. To stop the cooking process, immediately dunk the strainer with the nuts into the ice bath for about 5 seconds (to stop the cooking), lift out the strainer, and dump the nuts onto a large plate lined with paper towels. Spread nuts into a single layer, and blot dry with paper towels. Rub pistachios vigorously between paper towels (a few nuts at a time works best) to loosen and peel off the skins (you may have to peel stubborn skins individually with a towel - see Note #2).
- Place oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Dump blanched and peeled pistachios onto prepared baking sheet, spread them out, and bake for about 5 - 10 minutes until fragrant (but not browned). Remove from oven, slide the paper off the baking sheet, and let the nuts cool while you prepare the syrup.
- To a small saucepan (2 quart), add sugar, water, and salt. On medium heat, stir continuously until sugar is dissolved, and bring to a boil. Add pistachios, quick stir, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for only 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes.
- Transfer pistachio syrup (liquid and nuts) to a high-speed blender cup (see Note #3), and process until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes). Place a fine mesh strainer on top of a measuring cup (2 cup), and double or triple strain blended syrup (rinse strainer in between each strain). Allow to cool, then transfer to an airtight glass bottle (8 ounce), and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy this pistachio syrup in hot or cold drinks, cocktails, on waffles or pancakes, and it’s great drizzled on ice cream! Try it in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte recipe!
Notes
- I used Trader Joe’s unsalted raw pistachio nutmeats, which are shelled pistachios from California and are reasonably priced. They are a bit more labor intensive, and will result in a yellowish-green syrup. Turkish pistachios have a more vibrant green color and require a slightly different and less labor intensive preparation in this recipe, but they are quite pricey (I like Goaldees raw & unsalted slivered pistachios). For details on how to make this recipe with Turkish pistachios, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips for this recipe on my website.
- This process requires patience and is the most time consuming part of this recipe. Once you taste this pistachio syrup, you’ll find that it’s completely worth the time and effort. To eliminate having to blanch and peel the pistachios, use slivered Turkish pistachios, as described in Note #1. Recipe details for slivered Turkish pistachio syrup is in the Pimp My Recipe section on my website.
- Use a high speed blender to create a lusciously thick smoothie. Both the NutriBullet high speed blender, and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
- Makes about 20 servings - 1 ¼ cups (1 tablespoon per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Calories
46Fat (grams)
1 gSat. Fat (grams)
0 gCarbs (grams)
8 gFiber (grams)
0 gNet carbs
8 gSugar (grams)
8 gProtein (grams)
1 gSodium (milligrams)
2 mgCholesterol (grams)
0 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Enjoy in your favorite drinks and desserts. It’s great in coffee or matcha lattes, and delicious drizzled over ice cream for an extra special treat bursting with real pistachio flavor. It’s absolutely amazing in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte below!
VIDEO
How to Make this Rich, Thick & Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup!
Blog Comments & Tips
Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup: Rich Flavor with Nutritional Benefits
If you love the rich, nutty flavor of pistachios, this Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup is a delicious way to bring that irresistible taste to your favorite drinks and desserts. Made with all-natural ingredients, this homemade pistachio syrup delivers a super-rich, thick pistachio flavor that elevates everything from matcha lattes and iced coffee to cocktails, mocktails, milkshakes, and sweet treats.
Health Benefits of Pistachios
Pistachios are more than just a delicious nut. They offer an impressive range of nutrients that make them a wholesome addition to a balanced diet.
Rich in Antioxidants: Pistachios contain antioxidants, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and polyphenols, which help protect cells from oxidative damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin are particularly associated with eye health.
Source of Plant-Based Protein: Pistachios provide plant protein to support muscle maintenance and other essential bodily functions.
Heart-Healthy Fats: These nuts contain predominantly unsaturated fats, which can support healthy cholesterol levels when they replace saturated fats in the diet.
Dietary Fiber: Pistachios provide fiber that supports healthy digestion and helps promote regularity for better gut health.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Pistachios supply nutrients such as vitamin B6, potassium, copper, and manganese, which play important roles in energy metabolism and normal body functions.
While pistachios offer these nutritional benefits on their own, remember that this simple syrup is a sweetener, and the syrup's sugar content should be considered as part of your overall diet. However, based on the technique I used, it has more nutritional value than regular simple syrups because this recipe uses the entire nut.
Deliciously Versatile Ways to Use Pistachio Simple Syrup
One of the best things about this homemade pistachio syrup is its versatility! Its bold, nutty flavor makes it easy to add a gourmet touch to everyday favorites.
Matcha Lattes: Use it in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte for an extra-rich pistachio experience.
Coffee and Iced Lattes: Stir it into iced coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew, or creamy cappuccinos.
Tea and Specialty Drinks: Add a splash to black tea, chai, or iced tea for a nutty twist.
Cocktails and Mocktails: Create distinctive drinks by pairing pistachio flavor with complementary ingredients such as vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or cream.
Milkshakes and Smoothies: Blend it into milkshakes or creamy smoothies for a delicious pistachio-inspired treat.
Desserts and Sweet Toppings: Drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, or other desserts for an extra layer of nutty sweetness.
Why Make Homemade Pistachio Syrup?
Making your own Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup lets you enjoy a richer pistachio flavor while choosing the ingredients that go into your recipe. Homemade syrup is a wonderful alternative to commercial flavored syrups, which may contain artificial flavors, colors, or other additives. You can customize how you use it and create café-style drinks and desserts right in your own kitchen.
Whether you're a matcha enthusiast, a coffee lover, or a pistachio fan looking for new ways to experiment in the kitchen, this rich and flavorful homemade pistachio syrup is a versatile recipe worth keeping on hand.
Try it in my Double Pistachio Matcha Latte for a delicious combination of earthy matcha and bold, nutty pistachio flavor!
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 5 tips to making this Creamy Pistachio Simple Syrup:
Use good quality nuts. I like Trader Joe’s raw pistachio nutmeats (aka: unroasted and unsalted shelled pistachios from California).
If you use Turkish nuts (which have a more vibrant green color) for this recipe, you will need to use a different technique. Visit the Pimp My Recipe section below for details. Keep in mind they are very expensive, but often worth the price. I like Goaldees raw & unsalted slivered pistachios.
Prepare your ice bath first. You want to plunge the pistachios into the ice cold water immediately after blanching, in order to retain their color and stop the cooking process.
The right ratio between filling and bread
Do not overload your sandwich (to prevent the filling from squeezing out)
Using the right temperature for grilling
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it with Slivered Turkish Pistachios: If you don’t mind the extra cost and you want to save some time), then make this recipe with Turkish pistachios (my favorite brand is Goaldees raw & unsalted slivered pistachios). These Turkish pistachios will yield a more vibrant green color in your pistachio simple syrup. Here is how to make it with Turkish pistachios:
Skip Step 1 in this recipe. You will not need to blanch or peel the pistachios (which saves lots of time). Start with Step 2, but bake the slivered nuts for only 3-5 minutes or until fragrant (but not browned). They need less baking time than the blanched and peeled California pistachios. Continue with all the remaining steps as noted in the recipe card above.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to blanch the pistachios for only 20 seconds. And, don’t overbake the pistachios, as you don’t want them to brown.
Adapted from the Homemade Pistachio Drink Syrup recipe by loveandoliveoil.com. I used slightly different techniques and changed the timing for some of the steps in my recipe. Although this is a simple recipe, it does take a little time and a lot of patience, but it’s worth it!
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