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A Nerd Cooks » Cocktails » Syrups

Demerara Syrup

Feb 4, 2022 · Modified: Jul 2, 2023 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Demerara Syrup (a variation of simple syrup) is made with demerara sugar and has a rich, sweet, caramel and molasses flavor.

Looking for more syrup recipes? Try my Grenadine Syrup and Irish Cream Syrup!

a swingtop bottle full of demerara syrup
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 💭 What is Demerara Syrup?
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make Demerara syrup
  • 🛠️ How to use Demerara syrup
  • 🔗 Other syrup recipes
  • ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
  • 🖤 Share your creations and follow me on social media!
  • ✨ Recipe
  • 📌 Pin this recipe for later!

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's very easy to make. If you can simmer water, you can make this syrup.
It only requires two ingredients. That's it!
It's an easy way to elevate a regular simple syrup. It's exactly as easy as making a regular simple syrup, but this is an easy way to turn things up a notch.

💭 What is Demerara Syrup?

Demerara syrup is a rich syrup that is made from Demerara sugar and water.

Now, what is demerara sugar, you might ask? It's a raw sugar that's extracted from sugarcane. It's minimally processed, so it had large, coarse grains, a crunchy texture, and a golden-brown hue.

Both the color and flavor come from the higher molasses content of the sugar. It's similar in appearance to turbinado sugar, but is more molasses-y in flavor and has grains that are slightly larger in size than turbinado.

These flavors in demerara sugar give the demerara syrup a rich, molasses and caramel flavor.

📝 Ingredients

You only need two ingredients to make this syrup!

  • Demerara sugar: You can very likely find some Demerara sugar at your local grocery store. If not, take a peek on Amazon. You'll definitely find some there.
  • Water: Regular old tap water will do just fine!
demerara sugar and a cup of water on a black background

👩🏻‍🍳 How to make Demerara syrup

You'll start by adding equal parts of the sugar and water to a heavy-bottomed saucepan (Step 1). Turn the heat up to medium, and whisk the sugar and water together (Step 2).

You'll want to bring the water up to a simmer; keep whisking occasionally. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then turn the heat off.

demerara sugar and water in a saucepan
Step 1
demerara sugar and water, whisked together, in a sauce pan
Step 2

Allow the syrup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and stashing it in the fridge. Get ready to use it in all kinds of cocktails and mocktails!

🛠️ How to use Demerara syrup

My recommendation would be to use this syrup in cocktails. The first one that comes to mind is an Old Fashioned. The molasses and caramel notes in the syrup would play very well with bourbon.

It would also be very good in a variety of tiki drinks, many of which are rum-based. A Jungle Bird or a Zombie are great examples.

Of course, you can feel free to use this syrup in mocktails, tea, or in whatever your heart desires!

🔗 Other syrup recipes

Need more flavored syrup recipes? Click through the photos below to find a new favorite.

  • jar of rosemary simple syrup, lid removed and to the side
    Rosemary Simple Syrup
  • small bottle of watermelon syrup on a pink background
    Watermelon Syrup
  • small glass jar full of cinnamon dolce syrup
    Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
  • homemade grenadine syrup being poured into a small glass bottle
    Grenadine Syrup

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another kind of sugar?

I mean, yes. You can. BUT it wouldn't be Demerara syrup, now would it? But if you have something else on hand, you can totally make a syrup with another kind of sugar. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile won't be the same.

Can I make a bigger or smaller batch of this syrup?

Yep! Since the syrup is made using proportional amounts of sugar and water, just scale the amounts of both ingredients up or down according to how much syrup you'd like to end up with.

How long will this syrup keep?

You can store your Demerara syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks. If you'd like to hang onto it longer than that, you can add 1 teaspoon of vodka to the mixture (this will help to inhibit the growth of mold).

Is Demerara syrup the same thing as simple syrup?

Close, but nope! Simple syrup is made with white granulated sugar, while Demerara syrup is made with... you guessed it... Demerara sugar.

🖤 Share your creations and follow me on social media!

✨ Recipe

a swingtop bottle full of demerara syrup

Demerara Syrup

Lauren Pacek
Demerara Syrup--a variation of simple syrup--is made with demerara sugar and has a rich, sweet, caramel and molasses flavor.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 0 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Additional Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Syrups
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup
Calories 65 kcal

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed saucepan
  • Wet measuring cups
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup demerara sugar
  • 1 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Combine the sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
  • Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool completely.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • You can prolong the shelf life of this syrup a bit by adding about half an ounce of plain vodka to the syrup

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 65kcalCarbohydrates: 17gSodium: 1mgSugar: 17g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

📌 Pin this recipe for later!

pinterest pin for demerara syrup

More Flavored Syrup Recipes

  • small jar of peppermint syrup
    Peppermint Syrup
  • a jar of gingerbread syrup with twinkle lights behind it
    Gingerbread Syrup
  • a small bottle of mint simple syrup
    Mint Simple Syrup
  • a small swing top bottle full of pumpkin spice syrup
    Pumpkin Spice Syrup

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Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

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