• Fill a 1-quart mason jar about ¹∕³ full with distilled water. Place the jar in a small saucepan filled with water over medium heat. Bring the water to a simmer and add 1 cup sugar to the jar, stirring constantly, until dissolved. Add another 1 cup sugar, stir to dissolve, and repeat until the syrup reaches the top of the mason jar. The liquid will be about 1-to-3 parts water to sugar.
• Remove the jar from heat, cover loosely and let cool overnight.
This article appears in February 2015.