Re reducing a liquid recipe in half:
My brother gave me his kahlua recipe that called for a simple syrup that called for a 16 cups of water to 8 cups of sugar. And to simmer it for 3 hours. If I didn’t , it would be a failure!
I reduced the recipe to 4 cups water to 2 cups sugar and simmered for 45 - 60 min
than added rest of ingredients (instant coffee, vanilla and grain alcohol )

My kahlua was a failure 😞.
The sugar crystallized in the mason jars, leaving only the sharp grain alcohol taste.
Bro maintains I added too much sugar.

(His kahlua really beats the original per many people w blind testing )

My question is when a recipe calls to simmer a mix for ‘x’ time, does the simmer time get reduced the amount?
Also, why did the sugar crystallize on the sides and large amount on bottom?

I kept it in a dark room in the cellar
Thx

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