Description
Ingredients
Ingredients
For this simple yet transformative demerara syrup recipe, you’ll need just two main ingredients:
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- 1 cup demerara sugar (sometimes labeled “turbinado” or “raw sugar”)
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- 1 cup filtered water
Optional flavor enhancers:
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- 1 cinnamon stick
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- 2–3 whole cloves
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- 1 strip of orange peel
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- 1⁄2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
When shopping for demerara sugar, look for those gorgeous, large amber crystals that glisten in light. It should have a natural toffee aroma even before cooking. The quality of your sugar really matters here—this is one recipe where the main ingredient truly shines throug
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the demerara sugar and water. If you’re using any optional flavor enhancers, add them now.
“I like to gently swirl the pan rather than stir at this stage—it helps prevent sugar crystals from sticking to the sides of the pan,” I always tell my workshop students.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Don’t rush this process with high heat—a slower warming allows the demerara’s complex flavors to fully release.
You’ll notice the gorgeous amber sugar crystals gradually dissolving, creating that beautiful caramel-colored liquid that makes an old fashioned recipe with demerara syrup so spectacular.
Once the mixture reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue simmering for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring gently with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
The syrup is ready when all sugar crystals have completely dissolved, and the mixture has a slightly thickened, glossy appearance. Be careful not to let it boil vigorously—we’re making syrup, not candy!
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. If you’ve added spices or citrus peels, leave them to steep as the syrup cools—this is where the magic happens!
Once cooled, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean glass container. I love using swing-top bottles or mason jars for proper storage.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Syrup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cocktail Bar Basics
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50 per tablespoon
Keywords: demerara syrup, simple syrup, cocktail syrup, homemade syrup, old fashioned syrup, raw sugar syrup, turbinado syrup, flavored syrup, bar syrup, DIY cocktail ingredients