Sugar (Demerara)
A coarse, minimally refined cane sugar with a natural molasses content, offering deeper caramel and toffee notes than white sugar. Demerara sugar adds richness and weight, making it particularly well suited to spirit-forward cocktails.
Quick Facts
Flavour Profile
Primary Flavours
Tasting Notes
Warm caramel sweetness with subtle molasses depth and a fuller mouthfeel than refined white sugar. Adds richness without excessive sweetness when used correctly.
Recommended Brands
Budget Choice
Supermarket Demerara sugar
Premium Choice
Billington’s Demerara Sugar
Storage & Handling
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Protect from moisture to prevent clumping. Syrup should be refrigerated and used within one month.
Shelf Life
Indefinite when stored dry and sealed
Sugar (Demerara)
A coarse, minimally refined cane sugar with a natural molasses content, offering deeper caramel and toffee notes than white sugar. Demerara sugar adds richness and weight, making it particularly well suited to spirit-forward cocktails.
Pro Tip
If an Old Fashioned tastes thin, try Demerara before adding more sugar.
Usage
Used as a sweetening agent in classic and modern cocktails where added depth is desired. Commonly employed in Old Fashioned–style drinks, either dissolved directly or converted into Demerara syrup for consistency.
Top Tips
- Dissolves more slowly than white sugar — always dissolve fully before adding ice.
- Best paired with aged spirits and darker flavour profiles.
- Convert to syrup for speed and consistency in service.
Possible Substitutions
- Muscovado sugar (stronger molasses, heavier)
- Brown sugar (finer texture, slightly less depth)
- Demerara syrup (preferred for cocktails)
Production Method
Produced by partially refining cane sugar juice, retaining natural molasses before crystallisation. The result is large, golden-brown crystals with enhanced flavour.
History & Context
Named after the Demerara region of Guyana, this sugar has long been associated with rum production and colonial-era trade. Its adoption in cocktails reflects a preference for richer, spirit-complementing sweetness over neutral refinement.