capillaire syrup

Also known as “sirop de capillaire”,“capillaire sirop”,“capillaire”. Capillaire syrup is a syrup which historically was prepared from dried maidenhair fern, sugar, and orange flower water. Capillaire syrup was mainly seen in European drink recipes, but found its way into early 19th century compounders’ guides in the U.S. as well, where it largely came to mean any simple syrup flavored with orange flower water or other orange (and occasionally lemon) flavoring. To make the original version, boil for 5 minutes: 1 qt. of water with two handsful of capillaire (dried maidenhair fern leaves). Cover, remove from heat and allow to infuse for 1 hour. Filter. Add 2-1/4 lbs of sugar and boil again for 10 minutes, then skim any foam off the syrup. Add 3 tsp of orange flower water, bottle and refrigerate. To make the simplified version: combine 2 cups of sugar and one cup water in a saucepan, heat and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1/8 oz orange flower water. Stir, cool, bottle and refrigerate.