Fruit Salad with Simple Syrup

Name: Fruit Salad with Simple Syrup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup water; 2 cinnamon sticks; 4 star anise pods; 2 cups strawberries (quartered); 1 cup blueberries; 1 peach (sliced and cut into bite-sized pieces); 1 cup seedless green grapes (halved); 1 cup seedless red grapes (halved); ¼-⅓ cup cinnamon-anise simple syrup (from above); fresh mint (for garnish)

Turn an ordinary meal into a special one with this fruit salad with simple syrup. With the perfect balance of sweetness, this dish is ideal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If you love to brunch, this fruit salad pairs perfectly with whipped ricotta crostini, BLT appetizer cups, and lemon curd tartlets.

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This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated.

I love fruit salad. It's a colorful assortment of the season's best, and it can be served at any time of day, as a light snack or a satisfying dessert.

Like my berry fruit salad with mint syrup, this fruit salad is tossed with a simple syrup infused with cinnamon and anise for a crave-worthy combination.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Ingredient Notes
How to Make Fruit Salad with Simple Syrup
Recipe FAQs
More Fruit Recipes You Will Love
📖 Recipe Card
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

Fresh fruit is deliciously light and refreshing.
Easy to prepare with little prep work.
Make the syrup ahead of time and save the leftover syrup to flavor coffee or cocktails.
Serve with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a last-minute dessert.

Ingredient Notes

Blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and red and green grapes create a colorful salad. You can use your favorite summer fruits or adapt to any season.

Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts granulated sugar and water.
Cinnamon sticks and star anise infuse this cinnamon anise simple syrup with a warm spice vibe. If you don't have star anise pods, anise seeds or fennel seeds can be used.

See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.

How to Make Fruit Salad with Simple Syrup

Step 1: Combine the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until the sugar has fully dissolved, 3-5 minutes. Let cool, allowing the spices to infuse the syrup.

Step 2: Strain the mixture and store it in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Add the fruit to a mixing bowl.

Fruit tossed with simple syrup in a serving bowl.

Step 4: Pour the syrup over the top and toss to combine.

Recipe FAQs

How long does fruit salad last?

The salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The type of fruit used will affect how long the salad lasts.

What fruits should not be added to fruit salad?

For the best texture and results, avoid watermelon and citrus fruits. The watermelon gives off too much liquid and turns mushy, and the membranes of citrus can be offputting. I also prefer to avoid bananas, since they turn brown and mushy.

How do I serve fruit salad?

Fruit salad is extremely versatile. For breakfast or brunch, serve it with pancakes or waffles, or use it as a topping for yogurt parfaits. Spoon it over a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for dessert. It is also ideal as a side dish for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.

More Fruit Recipes You Will Love

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