Demerara Syrup
A rich sugar syrup made from demerara sugar, known for its deep caramel flavour and molasses notes. Adds sweetness, body, and warmth to cocktails.
Quick Facts
Flavour Profile
Primary Flavours
Tasting Notes
Deep caramel sweetness with light molasses bitterness and a rich, rounded mouthfeel. Less sharp than white sugar syrup.
Recommended Brands
Budget Choice
Bristol Syrup Co. No.3 Demerara Syrup
Premium Choice
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Demerara Syrup
Storage & Handling
Store syrup refrigerated in a sealed container. Shake before use if separation occurs.
Shelf Life
2–4 weeks refrigerated (Longer for 2:1 syrups)
Usage
Used as a sweetening mixer where added depth and richness are desired. Common in spirit-forward and stirred cocktails as an alternative to simple syrup.
Demerara syrup is simple syrup with a passport: the raw cane crystals carry their molasses coat into the bottle, and the result deepens instead of merely sweetening.
Dark spirits are its jurisdiction: an Old Fashioned on demerara syrup gains toffee weight, and aged rum drinks treat it as a native ingredient rather than an addition.
Make it 2:1 by convention: the rich ratio suits the spirit-forward drinks it serves, and the deeper flavour justifies the smaller measure.
Pro Tip
If a drink tastes thin, swap simple syrup for demerara before increasing sugar.
Top Tips
- Dissolve fully: demerara sugar needs more heat than white sugar.
- Use 1:1 for balance or 2:1 for richer texture.
- Use 1:1 for balance or 2:1 for richer texture.
Possible Substitutions
- Simple syrup (lighter, less complex)
- Muscovado syrup (darker, more intense)
- Brown sugar syrup (similar but softer)
Production Method
Produced by dissolving demerara sugar in water (typically 1:1 or 2:1) using gentle heat until fully dissolved, then cooled and bottled.
History & Context
Demerara sugar originates from Guyana and has long been valued for its depth and character. Demerara syrup became a staple in classic cocktails where bartenders sought richer sweetness than simple syrup could provide.
Common Questions
Demerara syrup versus simple syrup?
Depth: the molasses coat on raw cane sugar carries through, adding toffee and warmth where white syrup adds only sweetness. Dark-spirit drinks notice immediately.
Which drinks want demerara syrup?
Old Fashioneds, aged rum drinks, and tiki builds with dark rum: anywhere the spirit already speaks in caramel and oak.
How do you make it?
2:1 demerara sugar to water, warmed and stirred until clear. The rich ratio is the convention because its drinks are spirit-forward.
How long does it keep?
Longer than white simple syrup: the 2:1 sugar level preserves it for a month or more refrigerated.