It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.
Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Ask Dr. Gourmet
How do I make rock candy syrup?
Please, we need some help. How do you make rock candy syrup? I've run out and can not find it anywhere. We use it in a special wine punch.
Dr. Gourmet Says...
Rock candy syrup is made by adding sugar to simmering water. Keep adding the sugar as the water boils slowly until no more sugar will dissolve. This is known as a super-saturated syrup. Because the sugar concentration is so high in the syrup, it will crystallize easily. Hang a string or stick in the syrup and crystals will grow: this is known as rock candy.
Keep in mind that rock candy is very high in calories. Because it is essentially the same as eating raw sugar, a piece the size of a tablespoon will have almost 50 calories. These aren't the healthiest calories since they are such a concentration of sugar.
Thanks for writing,
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet