Wash the raspberries thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry gently using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
a Carefully pick out any stems or leaves that may still be attached to the raspberries.
b Set aside the cleaned raspberries for later use.
In a large saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved in the water.
a Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
b Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Add the cleaned raspberries to the saucepan with the sugar-water mixture.
a Stir gently to combine the raspberries with the syrup.
b Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for approximately 15 minutes, or until the raspberries have softened and released their juices.
In a small bowl, mix the orange juice and corn starch until it forms a smooth paste.
a Gradually add the orange juice and corn starch mixture to the saucepan while stirring continuously.
b Cook the syrup for an additional 5 minutes on low heat to thicken the mixture.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the black raspberry syrup cool slightly.
a Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the syrup and remove any seeds or solids, if desired.
b Transfer the strained syrup into a clean and dry container.
Allow the black raspberry syrup to cool completely at room temperature before covering it.
Notes
Gently crush some raspberries before adding them to the saucepan for a more intense flavor.For a smoother consistency, blend the cooked raspberries before straining the syrup.Adjust the amount of sugar according to your desired sweetness level.To enhance the citrusy note, add a little lemon juice along with the orange juice.If you prefer a thicker syrup, increase the amount of corn starch slightly.Customize the syrup's flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract.Make a larger batch and freeze the excess syrup in ice cube trays for convenient single servings.