This rich demerara simple syrup is made with demerara sugar, an unrefined sugar with an earthy caramel and molasses flavor. This syrup recipe is perfect for old fashioned cocktails, baking and even savory recipes!
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You have probably heard of simple syrup, a sweet sugar syrup that is typically used in cocktails or baking. Meet simple syrup’s fancy cousin, demerara sugar syrup! Demerara syrup is rich in flavor with molasses undertones that take things to the next level!
Demerara syrup works well in island style cocktails such a rum punch or rum runner. It is also delicious in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Take this simple syrup to the next level by making is spiced and add some clove, cinnamon and vanilla.
Why this recipe works
- Demerara simple syrup can be made in less than 5 minutes! No need for store bought syrup when you can make it yourself.
- Delicious in cocktails, baking and even savory dishes! I love using demerara sugar syrup in my Whiskey Sour Mocktail and Cherry Manhattan. Demerara syrup can also be substituted for amaretto in my Red Sangria Recipe.
- Demerara sugar syrup can be used in most recipes calling for simple syrup. It imparts an extra rich flavor, almost toffee-like. I love using it in my Cardmom Latte! It is also excellent drizzled on bread slathered with Pumpkin Seed Butter or Brazil Nut Butter.
Ingredients to make this recipe
- Demerara Sugar: You can buy demerara sugar in some specialty grocery stores. I purchased my unrefined demerara sugar online on Amazon. While not technically demerara syrup, if you need a demerara sugar substitute you can use turbinado sugar, muscovado sugar or brown sugar.
- Water
How to make demerara syrup
- In saucepan over medium heat, combine demerara sugar and water.
- Stir until sugar dissolves (2-3 minutes) and remove demerara syrup from heat.
- Cool demerara syrup before using or storing.
What is demerara sugar?
Demerara sugar is an unrefined sugar with a large course texture. It is amber brown in color and has undertones of molasses that yield a rich and toasty caramel, toffee mollasses flavor.
Demerara sugar vs turbinado sugar
- Demerara: Larger course grain. Rich caramel, molasses/toffee flavor. Slightly sticky texture.
- Turbinado: Crystals are finer than demerara sugar but more course than granulated white sugar. Less sticky than demerara. Lighter caramel flavor.
- Other: Other popular sugars include brown sugar, typically with a light or dark molasses flavor and muscovada sugar which has a strong molasses flavor.
FAQ and expert tips
Demerara is known for its course texture and deep caramel flavor. It is excellent to make demerara syrup for cocktails, sprinkled on cakes, muffins or cupcakes and used in baking.
Brown sugar is more processed than demerara sugar which is unrefined. However, they both have a rich molasses flavor and can be exchanged in many applications such as syrups and in baking.
Many old fashioned recipes call for demerara syrup because of the rich molasses caramel flavor it imparts. It works well in many drinks and works especially well with spirits such a whiskey, bourbon and rum.
Demerara syrup can be purchased on Amazon and in specialty grocery stores and many liquor stores.
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Demerara Syrup
Equipment
- Small sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup demerara sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In saucepan over medium heat, combine demerara sugar and water.
- Stir until dissolved (2-3 minutes) and remove from heat.
- Cool before using or storing.
Dan
I just made it. It’s really hard to mess up. Next time, I’d like to play with adding other flavors to it, like vanilla, or even almond extract.
Aubrey
Thanks Dan. Glad it was easy! I love those ideas!
Anita
After trying this demerara syrup, I can’t imagine why anyone would use regular simple syrup again! The flavor from the demerara sugar was so much more complex. I used the syrup in my old fashioned and it was delicious. Highly recommend.
Aubrey
Thanks Anita!!! I cannot agree more. Demerara syrup has been a game changer for me. Cocktails, coffee – you name it! 🙂