Best Substitutes for Demerara Sugar

Out of Demerara Sugar? Here are the best alternatives that work in cocktail recipes.

Demerara Sugar — mixer used in cocktails

Original Ingredient

Demerara Sugar

Mixer Warm, toffee-like sweetness with a molasses richness and slight mineral depth. Coarser texture than white sugar. Adds caramel complexity and golden color to syrups and cocktails.

Recommended Substitutes

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Brown sugar

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

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Sugar

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

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Powdered sugar

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

General Substitution Tips

  • Match the alcohol level: a 40% spirit needs a similarly strong replacement or adjust volume.
  • For liqueurs, dilute spirits + simple syrup can replicate sweetness and proof.
  • Citrus substitutions: lemon and lime are mostly interchangeable at a 1:1 ratio.
  • For bitters, Angostura is the most neutral substitute for most other aromatic bitters.