Traditional Alaskan Rose Hip Simple Syrup

Rose hips, also sometimes spelled as one-word rosehips, are the golf-ball sized red fruit of a variety of rose bush that is native to Alaska. Rose hips are a part of the same fruit family as apples and impart a warm, floral, and fruity flavor. Rose hip syrup is a particularly versatile way to use rose hips in the kitchen. The sweet syrup can be used on pancakes, porridge, or oatmeal in place of the traditional maple syrup. The syrup can also be used as a sweet, floral ingredient in mixed cocktails. And, of course, nothing is better than rose hip syrup drizzled on ice cream, bread pudding, or other desserts—even just plain yogurt.

But rose hips are not limited to culinary applications. In fact, rose hips have been known for their health benefits as they pack a strong antioxidant punch. While rose hips are commonly known for their high vitamin C content (in fact, they contain 20 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange!), they also possess vitamin D and vitamin A, two extremely important vitamins that are not commonly found in food. In addition to being used to ward off cold viruses and influenza, rose hips and rose hip syrup has been used to treat arthritis pain and to aid in the body's absorption of iron.

But when it comes to the health benefits of rose hips, always remember that traditional rose hip syrup recipes are extremely high in sugar and should be used sparingly.

You will need a jelly bag, cheesecloth, or muslin for this recipe.