The Best Sugars And Sweeteners To Use When Making Simple Syrup

Many of the beverages sitting in front of patrons at the bar share one common element — simple syrup. Handy for mixing drinks and glazing desserts, this two-ingredient nectar couldn't be more straightforward. By boiling equal parts sugar and water together and letting the mixture cool, you can make a batch at home if you have just a few minutes. The question is, what kind of sugar works best?

To find out, we reached out to Lexi Parker, lead bartender at Poka Lola Social Club on the Dairy Block in Denver, Colorado. She claims, when making simple syrup, you can't go wrong with "standard pure white sugar," indicating she doesn't stray from it often. While table sugar is conventional, that doesn't mean there are no other options. While Parker gives her word on which simple syrup works best for an old fashioned, the answer isn't the same for every mixed drink, and it's worth considering alternatives depending on what you're planning to quaff.

So what are the instances where another type works better? The traditional white variety is probably best if you're making a classic Kentucky Derby mint julep cocktail, but some other drinks can benefit from simple syrup having a bit more personality. While discussing common use of the fine-grained white version, Parker counterposes with, "We do, however, use Sugar in the Raw, which is thicker, dark brown sugar crystals, when making our demerara simple syrup."

Most know turbinado sugar as the packets of Sugar In The Raw commonly seen in a sweetener caddy at restaurants. It is coarser than table sugar and has a richer caramel flavor to match its darker color. The notes of caramel it imparts to simple syrup can be a perfect way to level up a Manhattan or any mixed drink that stars rum, whiskey, or brandy.

If you're curious if you can use non-sugar substitutes to make simple syrup, the answer is yes! Although you likely won't find it made this way in many bars, it is possible to make it with artificial sweeteners at home. While Parker notes, "I haven't experimented with any sugar alternatives to simple syrup ... I don't see why you couldn't get the same effect using Stevia or an alternative sweetener." And for some fruitier mixed drinks, infusing your simple syrup with fruit will take the flavor to another level when using artificial sweeteners.

While the process for making simple syrup this way should be the same, Parker indicates that you may need to make adjustments when mixing your drink. Depending on how sweet it comes out, you might want to add more or less to the beverage it's going into. The quantity required to sweeten to taste is typically much less for alternative sweeteners compared to table sugar. So, when concocting for the first time, Parker recommends giving the cocktail a taste test to find the perfect ratio.