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Published: Jul 28, 2021 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Demerara Syrup

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Sweet and rich, this Demerara syrup is an easy way to add amazing flavor to your favorite cocktail! This basic simple syrup recipe has only 2 ingredients and takes 5 minutes to make.

Single jar of Demerara syrup with a spoon in it.

Like regular simple syrup, this dark simple syrup is made of equal parts water and sugar but uses demerara sugar in place of white sugar.

This homemade demerara syrup recipe is my favorite"go-to" sweetener for rum cocktails like a Rum Sour or Mojito. But this sweet syrup isn't just for rum drinks.

The subtle notes of toffee, caramel, and spice work really in a lot of classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, and the Kentucky Mule.

But honestly, it makes almost any drink "craft cocktail" worthy!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • Storage
  • Substitutions
  • Questions
  • How to use Demerara Sugar Syrup
  • 📖 Variations
  • Other Cocktail Syrups you should try
  • 📖Recipe
a measuring glass of water and dish of demerara sugar, the ingredients for demerara sugar. i

🥘 Ingredients

  • Demerara sugar - can be found in some large grocery stores and you can order it from Amazon. If you can't find it you can substitute raw sugar or turbinado sugar. (See Substitutions)
  • water

🔪 Instructions

As I said, this really is an easy recipe!

  1. Add the sugar to a medium saucepan.
  2. Add the water.
  3. Stir.
  4. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
  5. Stir and continue to cook until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear.
  6. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
  7. Pour into a sterilized glass container with a tight-fitting lid (I like to use weck jars) and store in the refrigerator.

Storage

Almost all clear simple syrups will last up to 2 -3 weeks if properly stored in the refrigerator.

PRO TIP: To extend the shelf life add 1 teaspoon of regular vodka to the recipe and stir to combine. This simple trick should increase the shelf life to 4 - 6 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Substitutions

  • Turbinado Sugar - a type of raw cane sugar, is the closest substitute. Like real demerara sugar, it has coarse grains so you can use the same ratios. Since it's an unrefined sugar, it has a very similar flavor to demerara.
  • Light or Dark Brown Sugar- You can also make it with dark or light brown sugar but it will have a more molasses-like flavor.

Questions

What is Demerara Sugar?

Demerara is a raw cane sugar that is less processed than white sugar so still contains some molasses. Since it's less processed, than brown sugars, it has larger sugar crystals and its flavor doesn't have a strong molasses flavor.

Is brown sugar the same as demerara sugar?

Light and dark brown sugar are both made from refined white sugar that has a certain amount of molasses added back in after processing. These sugars have smaller crystals and are moister than raw cane sugar.

Close up of a a spoon with demerara syrup on it.

How to use Demerara Sugar Syrup

So, what other ways can you use this simple recipe? It's a wonderful change from sugar in iced coffee and other coffee drinks as well as a great way to dress up a plain scoop of ice cream.
Or, drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, or rice pudding.

With its caramel flavor, it's also perfect to pair with barrel-aged spirits like rum, bourbon, and brandy.

Glass of rum sour cocktail with lemons in the background.

📖 Variations

Although delicious on its own, there are lots of ways to change up this Demerara sugar syrup. Here are some suggestions.

  • Rich Demerara Syrup: The ingredients are the same but you use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. For this recipe, increase the sugar to 2 cups and use 1 cup of water.
    Rich simple syrup is used when you want less dilution in your drink. Since it has a higher sugar content, use ⅔ of the amount called for in the recipe.
  • Spiced - add a cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 5 allspice berries to the sugar and water mixture to infuse the syrup with additional spice notes. Try it in a Rum Moscow Mule or any ginger beer cocktail.
  • Vanilla - add a vanilla bean to the sugar and water mixture before cooking and remove after the syrup cools. If you don't have a vanilla bean, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract or paste to the syrup after cooking.
  • Salted Caramel- add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the sugar and water mixture for a take on salted caramel.
  • Cinnamon: Add a cinnamon stick to the sugar and water mixture before cooking and remove after the syrup cools.
Jar of demerara simple syrup.

Other Cocktail Syrups you should try

The easiest way to take your cocktail recipe to the next level is to use homemade sweeteners! They taste so much better than the bottled versions and are cheaper!

One of the best is Grenadine, the main ingredient in a Shirley Temple. It adds a fruity sweetness that pairs with all types of liquors. I love it in this jazzed-up Gin Fizz Cocktail!

Raspberry syrup is not only easy but will take cocktails like the Clover Club to a whole new level!

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📖Recipe

Close up of a jar with Demerara simple syrup with a spoon in it.

Demerara Syrup

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Course: cocktail
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 33kcal
Author: Nancy Buchanan

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Demerara Sugar
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Add the sugar to a medium saucepan. Add the water and stir to combine.
  • Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
  • Stir and continue to cook until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
  • Pour into a sterilized glass container with a tight-fitting lid (I like to use weck jars) and store in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

Ingredients:

  1. Demerara sugar can be found in some high-end grocery stores and specialty cookware stores. You can also buy it online at Amazon.

Storage

Almost all clear simple syrups will last up to 2 -3 weeks if properly stored in the refrigerator.
PRO TIP: To extend the shelf life add 1 teaspoon of regular vodka to the recipe and stir to combine. This simple trick should increase the shelf life to 4 - 6 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Substitutions

    • Turbinado Sugar - a type of raw cane sugar, is the closest substitute. Like real demerara sugar, it has coarse grains so you can use the same ratios. Since it's an unrefined sugar, it has a very similar flavor to demerara.
    • Light or Dark Brown Sugar- You can also make it with dark or light brown sugar but it will have a more molasses-like flavor.

Variations

Although delicious on its own, there are lots of ways to change up this Demerara sugar syrup. Here are some suggestions.
    • Rich Demerara Syrup: The ingredients are the same but you use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. For this recipe, increase the sugar to 2 cups and use 1 cup of water.
      Rich simple syrup is used when you want less dilution in your drink. Since it has a higher sugar content, use ⅔ of the amount called for in the recipe.
    • Spiced - add a cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 5 allspice berries to the sugar and water mixture to infuse the syrup with additional spice notes. Try it in a Rum Moscow Mule or any ginger beer cocktail.
    • Vanilla - add a vanilla bean to the sugar and water mixture before cooking and remove after the syrup cools. If you don't have a vanilla bean, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract or paste to the syrup after cooking.
    • Salted Caramel- add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the sugar and water mixture for a take on salted caramel.
    • Cinnamon: Add a cinnamon stick to the sugar and water mixture before cooking and remove after the syrup cools.

Nutrition

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

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SALUD, BONJOUR AND CIAO!
Hi, I’m Nancy Buchanan! At A Communal Table, you’ll find simple, delicious recipes inspired by world cuisine.

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