The Two Cocktail Syrups You Should Always Have Stocked

If you’re just getting into home bartending—or looking to level up your cocktail game—there’s one thing every great drink has in common: balance.

And more often than not, a key part of that balance is sugar, or simple syrup.

While it’s tempting to go straight for fancy infusions or complex flavored syrups (we’ll do plenty of those too!), the real foundation of great cocktail making comes from mastering two essential syrups:

1:1 simple syrup and rich demerara syrup.

These two staples are the unsung heroes of thousands of cocktail recipes—and keeping both on hand ensures you’re always ready to mix up something excellent and balanced.

What Is Simple Syrup?

At its core, simple syrup is just that: simple. It’s made with equal parts cane sugar and water (a 1:1 ratio), gently heated or shaken until the sugar fully dissolves.

This syrup is the go-to for adding sweetness to cold drinks where sugar wouldn’t dissolve properly. It's neutral in flavor, meaning it sweetens without overpowering. It’s versatile, and essential for popular cocktails like:

• Whiskey Sour

• Daiquiri

• Tom Collins

• Mojito

Because of its clarity and lightness, 1:1 simple syrup is the workhorse of your home bar—it plays well with citrus and works beautifully in shaken cocktails.

What Is Rich Demerara Syrup?

While simple syrup is about balance and neutrality, rich demerara syrup is all about body and boldness.

Made with two parts demerara sugar to one part water (a 2:1 ratio), this “rich” syrup is thicker, darker, and adds much more character to your cocktails. Demerara sugar is a raw cane sugar with natural molasses flavor and larger crystals, giving the syrup a beautiful amber tone and a subtle depth of flavor.

Rich demerara syrup is perfect for:

• Old Fashioneds

• Rum-based cocktails

• Coffee or cold brew cocktails

• Spirit-forward stirred drinks

Because it’s more concentrated and viscous than standard simple syrup, it offers more texture and weight—key when you're trying to build mouthfeel in drinks with aged spirits.

Why You Need Both

You might be tempted to pick one or the other—but you need both of these syrups in your cocktail arsenal.

• Use 1:1 simple syrup for clean, bright cocktails that rely on citrus or fresh herbs. It dissolves quickly and keeps drinks crisp.

• Use rich demerara syrup when you want boldness, body, and a silky texture that lingers on the palate.

Together, they allow you to adjust sweetness and structure, depending on the cocktail you're making.

Simple Syrup vs. Rich Syrup: What’s the Real Difference?

Bonus: Shelf Life

• 1:1 Simple Syrup: Lasts about 3 weeks in the fridge.

• 2:1 Rich Syrup: Higher sugar content = longer life. It should be okay tightly sealed outside the fridge for 5-6 weeks, but try and use it up before then.

Pro tip: Label your syrups with a date so you know when it’s time to refresh.

Final Pour

Stocking both standard simple syrup and rich demerara syrup gives you the flexibility to mix a wide variety of drinks—from light and citrusy to rich and boozy. If you’re serious about home bartending, these are non-negotiables.

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