Pine Syrup Recipe: Spruce or Douglas fir needles work best, but avoid adding preservation chemicals to the tree-stand water. Rinse 1 cup needles, then finely chop in a food processor. Bring ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons corn syrup and a pinch of salt to a boil in a saucepan, whisking, then boil 1 minute without stirring. Remove from the heat, add the needles and steep 2 to 3 hours. Strain the syrup and refrigerate up to a month.