Sugar is often essential in cocktails. Obviously, sugar adds sweetness, and this can temper the acidity and bitterness of other ingredients like citrus and alcohol, giving a cocktail more balance. It can also affect the mouthfeel of a cocktail, adding a slight viscosity that makes the drink feel more substantial and luxurious. However, there’s an art to getting the sweetness just right. Here are the best and most creative ways to incorporate it:
Simple Syrup
This is the most common method. A 1:1 ratio (2:10 for a richer syrup) of sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. This liquid form of sugar is easy to mix into cocktails and ensures a consistent sweetness throughout the drink. Experiment with different types of sugar, such as brown sugar, demerara, or turbinado, for a deeper flavour.
Flavoured Syrups
Add herbs (like rosemary or thyme), spices (such as cinnamon or star anise), or even fruits (like berries or citrus peels) while heating the syrup. This will make your cocktails more complex and intriguing.
Healthy Syrup
Opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. To use honey in cocktails, dilute it with warm water (usually a 2:1 ratio of honey to water) to make it easier to mix. Honey syrup works wonderfully in cocktails like a Bee’s Knees or a Hot Toddy.
Caramelisation
For a more decadent approach, caramelised sugar can add a rich, toasty flavour to your cocktails. Try using a brûlée torch to caramelise sugar on top of a cocktail or rim the glass with caramelised sugar for a unique twist.
Spiced Sugars
Create your own spiced sugar blends by mixing granulated sugar with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or chilli powder. These sugars can be used to rim glasses, sprinkled on top of cocktails, or even mixed into the drink for an extra kick of flavour.
Flavoured Sugar Dust
Grind granulated sugar with dried fruits, edible flowers, or herbs to create a fine, sugar dust. Use this dust to rim glasses or sprinkle over the top of a cocktail for a burst of flavour and colour.
Candied Garnishes
Sugared fruit slices, candied ginger, or even crystallised herbs like a sugar-dusted rosemary sprig can add both sweetness and a visual flourish to your drinks. To candy fruits, dip them in simple syrup, then roll them in sugar and let them dry. Sugar-coated fruits can be used as garnish or dropped into a cocktail to slowly release their sweetness as the drink is consumed.
Edible Sugar Art
Take your cocktail presentation to the next level with edible sugar art. Make sugar decorations by melting sugar and drizzling it onto parchment paper in decorative shapes. Once it hardens, you can place these sugar sculptures on top of your cocktails for a stunning visual effect.
