Ingredients

2 cups sugar 

2 two-inch-wide strips lime peel 

1 cinnamon stick 

4 whole star anise

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 5 minutes. Set syrup aside until cool.

Pass syrup through a fine sieve. Discard solids, and set syrup aside until ready to use.