If you love to have cocktails like old-fashioned, then this Old Fashioned Demerara Syrup Recipe is perfect for you. Demerara syrup offers a deep and rich sweetness that mixes perfectly with whiskey, making it a better choice than plain sugar.
It will add a rich flavor to your drink, which you will enjoy more. And the best part is you can make this Craft Cocktail Syrup at home easily. In this blog, we will give you the secret recipe on how to make Demerara syrup.
Ingredients That You Need To Make Demerara Simple Syrup
To make this Classic Cocktail syrup, you only need three ingredients. Yes, you read right, and the ingredients are already in your store.
- Demerara Sugar
This is raw cane sugar, which has large Golden crystals. Typically, we know this as brown sugar. Compared to White sugar, you find less of it, and it will add a deep, caramel-like Sweetness to your syrup.
- Water
Just normal, plain filtered water. It will help to liquefy the sugar and make the syrup smooth.
How to Make Demerara Syrup for an Old Fashioned?
The process of making this Homemade Tropical Syrup is very easy. You only need 30 minutes to prepare this syrup. Let’s start the process now.
Step 1: Warm the Water
First, take a small saucepan and add one cup of water and heat it gently on a medium flame. But don’t boil it; just warm it enough, which can melt the sugar.
Step 2: Add The Sugar
After heating the water and one cup of Demerara sugar, keep stirring until the sugar completely melts. At this stage, you will notice that the mixture is turning brown. And this is the sign that your Rich Demerara Syrup is perfectly in the making.
Step 3: Add Flavours (Optional)
This is totally optional; if you wish, you can drop a peel of orange peel and a few drops of vanilla extract to make it more flavorful. After adding them to the syrup, let it steam for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 4: Cook For 3 To 4 Minutes
Let the syrup heat gently for about 3 to 4 minutes, but be careful not to overheat it; otherwise, the Classic Cocktail Syrup can become sticky.
Demerara vs Simple Syrup for Cocktails
Demerara and simple syrup are both cocktail sweeteners that differ only by flavor. General syrups are made with white sugar and provide natural sweetness; on the other hand, Demerara syrup offers a richer sweetness with flavors of caramel and molasses. See the table below and know the differences between them.
| Feature | Simple Syrup | Demerara Syrup |
| Sugar Type | Granulated white sugar | Demerara sugar |
| Flavor | Neutral sweetness, no additional flavor notes | Rich, caramel-like sweetness with notes of molasses |
| Best Use | Adds sweetness without changing the flavor of the base spirit | Adds depth and complexity, ideal for cocktails with darker spirits |
| Examples | Daiquiri, Gin Fizz, or cocktails with clear spirits | Old Fashioned, Sazerac, or tiki-style cocktails |
How Long Does Demerara Syrup Last?
In general, Demerara Simple Syrup lasts no more than 3 to 4 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. You just need to make sure that the jar where you put that syrup is airtight and clean. Moreover, if you wish to keep it in storage for a longer period, then you can add one vodka to Slow Down The spoilage. The ratio of vodka is one ounce per cup of Brown Sugar Syrup.
Best Ratio For Demerara Syrup
When the best ratio for a perfect old-fashioned demerara syrup recipe is 1:1, it means using one cup of water and one cup of sugar. However, if you wish to have a sweeter and thicker syrup, then you can use a 2:1 ratio, which is known as rich Demerara Syrup. But overall, the 1:1 ratio is perfect for balanced cocktails.
Old-fashioned Demerara Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Demerara Sugar
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Strip Orange Peel Optional, Small
- 1/2 Stick Cinnamon Stick Optional
Instructions
- Add to saucepan: In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of Demerara sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Heat and stir: Put it over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add flavor (optional): If you like extra flavor, add a strip of orange peel and half a cinnamon stick.
- Simmer: Let it simmer lightly for about 10–15 minutes. Do not boil hard.
- Cool it: Remove from heat. Let it cool.
- Strain (if needed): If you added orange or cinnamon, strain them out.
- Store: Pour the syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle. Keep it in the fridge upto 3-4 weeks.
Nutrition
Conclusion
So now you have the complete Old Fashioned Demerara Syrup Recipe. This is not just a mixture of sugar and water; it is a craft Cocktail syrup that brings flavor and balance to your drink. Thanks for your time.
