Demerara Syrup

How is Demerara Syrup made?

Demerara syrup starts with raw demerara sugar, which gets dissolved in hot water using a simple 1:1 ratio by weight. The sugar dissolves completely within minutes of stirring, creating a rich, amber-colored syrup that's noticeably thicker than regular simple syrup. Once cooled, this golden elixir keeps for weeks in the refrigerator and brings a subtle molasses depth to cocktails that regular sugar just can't match.

How do you drink Demerara Syrup?

Demerara syrup isn't something you'd drink on its own—it's a bartender's secret weapon made from rich, molasses-heavy demerara sugar that adds incredible depth to cocktails. You'll find it starring in classic rum drinks like the Mai Tai, Daiquiri variations, and tiki cocktails where its caramelized sweetness plays beautifully with aged spirits. This golden syrup shines brightest during fall and winter months when you're craving something with warmth and complexity, though it's equally at home in summer tiki drinks when you want to add some serious flavor backbone to your tropical escape.

How do I choose good Demerara Syrup?

Look for syrups made with actual demerara sugar rather than brown sugar substitutes – the real deal delivers those distinctive molasses notes and caramel complexity that make drinks like Dark 'n' Stormy and El Presidente sing. For spirit-forward cocktails like Old Fashioneds or Sazeracs, opt for a syrup with deeper, more pronounced molasses character that can stand up to bold whiskeys and rums, while lighter tropical drinks benefit from cleaner demerara syrups that add sweetness without overwhelming delicate citrus and fruit flavors. Quality producers will list their sugar source on the label, so skip anything vague about ingredients – your cocktails deserve the authentic turbinado richness that only proper demerara can provide.

Nutritional Information

Typical Calorie Range per Ounce: 65-75 calories

Typical Carbohydrate Range per Ounce: 17-19 grams

Typical Sugar Range per Ounce: 17-19 grams

Typically Gluten Free: Yes

Note: While demerara syrup is generally gluten-free as it's made from demerara sugar and water, always check the specific product label and manufacturer information to confirm gluten-free status, especially if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.

Scrolled this far? Your reward? Demerara Syrup Trivia!

1. Demerara syrup gets its name from the Demerara River region in Guyana, where Dutch colonists first established sugar plantations in the 1600s. The unique mineral-rich soil along the riverbanks gave the sugar its distinctive molasses flavor profile that bartenders prize today - making every sip a taste of colonial South American terroir.
2. The crystals in demerara sugar are naturally larger than regular sugar because they're processed less and retain more of their original molasses coating. When you make syrup from these chunky crystals, you get a richer mouthfeel and deeper complexity that standard simple syrup simply can't match - it's like comparing a vintage wine to grape juice.
3. Many bartenders swear that demerara syrup tastes completely different when made with a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio versus the standard 1:1 ratio. The concentrated version develops almost toffee-like notes that can transform classics like an Old Fashioned or Daiquiri into something that tastes like it came from a completely different recipe book.
4. Demerara syrup actually has a longer shelf life than regular simple syrup because the natural molasses content acts as a preservative. While basic simple syrup might start growing funky stuff after a month in the fridge, properly made demerara syrup can stay fresh for up to three months - those trace minerals aren't just adding flavor, they're fighting bacteria.
5. The reason demerara syrup works so magically in rum cocktails isn't just the complementary flavors - it's chemistry. Demerara sugar contains the same congeners (flavor compounds) that develop during rum aging, creating a molecular harmony that makes the spirit taste more mature and complex than it actually is. It's like adding aged rum characteristics without opening an expensive bottle.