Simple Syrups and Hubert de Givenchy

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Something to Try

I think the idea of crafting a signature cocktail is so elegant. They’re primarily associated with weddings and high-end hotels, which give them an air of celebration and glamour. Whether it’s for a party you’re hosting or just the special drink guests know to expect when they visit your home, a signature cocktail is a uniquely stylish way to practice hospitality. Don’t know where to start? Consider taking a cocktail recipe you already love and putting your own twist on it with an infused simple syrup. 

Simple syrup is basically just a liquid sweetener, made from equal parts water and sugar. Found in popular cocktails like the Mojito, the Mint Julep, the Old Fashioned, and the French 75, one batch can be used countless ways. To make simple syrup, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir just until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat. The syrup will last 2-3 weeks in the fridge but be sure to check for signs of spoilage before using. I like to store simple syrup in glass oil bottles like these. 

Here’s the fun part – simple syrups lend themselves well to experimenting with different flavors. A few ideas…

• Add lavender buds, rose petals, rosemary, or thyme to the cooling syrup and leave to infuse overnight
• Swap out the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor
• Add vanilla or almond extract to the cooling syrup
• Add cinnamon sticks or cardamom pods to the cooling syrup and leave to infuse overnight
• Combine equal parts water, sugar, and fruit of your choice, heating on the stove until the sugar is dissolved and the fruit is mashed, then strain out the fruit solids after cooling
• Add a pinch of pink peppercorn or cayenne pepper to the mixture for a slightly spicy flavor
• Replace a few tablespoons of the water with lemon, lime, or orange juice, or steep the mixture with citrus zest and peels

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Something to Know

If I asked you to name some of the most prominent style icons in history, there’s a good chance Audrey Hepburn would make the list. Known for her chic interpretations of mid-century European fashion, she has one man to thank for much of her sartorial fame, the inimitable Hubert de Givenchy. 

Born in 1927 in Northern France, Givenchy enjoyed an aristocratic upbringing and went on to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. At 17, he started his career in fashion as an apprentice and worked for various Parisian fashion houses, most notably including Schiaparelli. In 1952, he opened his own fashion house which quickly gained popularity for its tailored separates, evening gowns, and elegant hats. By the 60s, he was an established trendsetter in the fashion world. 

He is perhaps best known for his decades-long professional and personal relationship with Audrey Hepburn. The two met when she was making costume selections in Paris for her movie Sabrina, and were inseparable from then on. He designed nearly all of her most famous gowns both on screen and off. He even kept a mannequin with her exact measurements in his studio.

Givenchy went on to dress countless celebrities, royals, and notable figures, including Princess Grace of Monaco and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. He was one of the most prominent designers of the 1950s and 60s, known for his looser, easy-fitting styles. He is credited with the creation of the balloon coat and the babydoll dress. In 1995, he retired to a castle near Paris. He passed in 2018 and leaves behind an enormous legacy in the fashion world.

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Three Good Things

First and foremost, The Sophisticate is not in the business of trying to sell you things you don’t want or need. This section is meant to share three things that have improved my life, and a little bit about why you might like them too. 

These will occasionally contain affiliate links. If you click one and ultimately decide to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission of roughly 5-10%. If you want to shop using my links, great! Easy for you, teeny tiny paycheck for me. 

However, it’s very important to me that you trust that I’m not just pushing links to make money, so if you’d rather purchase outside of my affiliate link, I completely get it! To do so, just be sure to shop from an incognito browser and type the product name into search rather than copy and paste my link. 

That said, I hope you’ll find that some of these recommendations may be the solution to a problem you’ve been having, or are simply a fun little luxury to add to your daily life.

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Recipe of the Day

The French 75 is my go-to cocktail for any season. The lemony brightness is perfect in the summer, the champagne and the juniper notes of the gin feel right at home during the holidays. It’s also a great drink to experiment with flavored simply syrups – I like it with a lavender or raspberry-rose syrup but the opportunities are endless. This cocktail is a showstopper when made with real champagne, but unless it’s a special occasion, I typically just use a cheaper prosecco or cava.

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Tasteful Living, As Told by You

One of the things that inspired me to create The Sophisticate was reading what other women online had to say about taste, style, and living well. This section is dedicated to tips and advice submitted by you, The Sophisticate subscribers! 

Send us a message on Instagram @sophisticate.newsletter to share your favorite little luxuries, healthy habits, or other tasteful tips with us and we may include you in a future newsletter.

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