Step 1: Boil the water. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Boiling helps to dissolve the sugar thoroughly and removes any potential contaminants.
Step 2: Dissolve the sugar. Once the water is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 1 cup of granulated white sugar to the hot water.
Step 3: Stir until clear. Stir the mixture continuously until all the sugar crystals are completely dissolved and the solution is clear. Do not add food coloring.
Step 4: Cool completely. Allow the hummingbird nectar recipe solution to cool down to room temperature before filling your feeders. Placing hot nectar in feeders can cause damage to plastic feeders and is unsafe for birds.
Step 5: Fill and store. Once cooled, fill your hummingbird feeders. Store any leftover hummingbird nectar recipe in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.