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    Home » Cocktails » Sugar Cube Simple Syrup for One Cocktail

    Published: Oct 26, 2021 · Updated: Oct 26, 2021 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Sugar Cube Simple Syrup for One Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Woman adding a small batch of simple syrup to a cocktail glass.

    This sugar cube simple syrup recipe is a fast and easy way to add a touch of sweetness to any drink or cocktail. With just two ingredients needed, this hack can make just one drink sweeter in a matter of seconds!

    Close up of a glass holding a yellow cocktail next to sugar cubes on a plate next to a bottle of club soda.
    This cheater simple syrup ideas makes enough for one drink.

    This post was originally published years ago and has now been updated with new images, tips, tricks, and more!

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Tips and tricks
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related recipes
    • Sugar Cube Simple Syrup

    This no-cook simple syrup is the COOLEST thing ever! In my research for creating the most delicious punch recipe, I read tons of recipes and bartending books. I learned a ton from one book in particular: Death & Co.

    This simple syrup with sugar cubes idea came straight out of that book, so I do not claim any ownership of the idea. They are pure geniuses and you need to know about this. This cheater simple syrup is perfect for making one cocktail at a time.

    Why this recipe works

    This sugar cube simple syrup is a hack! Which means it is a great time-saver.

    Since I almost never plan ahead, having a batch of simple syrup ready and cooled to use in my cocktails is not likely. So this is the perfect way to sweeten one drink or cocktail quickly.

    This also works for sweetening up non-alcoholic drinks like lavender lemonade and tea.

    You won’t get that syrup consistency like you do from traditional simple syrup. But it works perfectly for adding sweetness.

    Turn a sugar cube into simple syrup and try it in a Pear Cocktail with Chardonnay or a Tea Gimlet. YUM!

    Woman holding a cocktail shaker with text next to it.

    Ingredient Notes

    Labeled ingredients to make a sugar cube simple syrup.

    The club soda really is the key to make an easy and quick simple syrup recipe.

    While Death & Co. suggests Demerara Sugar Cubes I am using white since they are way easier to find. You lose some nuance of flavor but this will absolutely work for all cocktails.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Woman adding one sugar cube to a small glass bowl on a counter.
    1. Add one sugar cube to a small bowl.
    Adding club soda to a small bowl with a sugar cube.

    2. Add 1 ounce of club soda to the bowl.

    Hand mixing a clear liquid in a small glass bowl.

    3. Mix it up until dissolved. Simple as that.

    The bubbles help to break up the sugar cube pretty quickly. It takes less than 30 seconds.

    Tips and tricks

    • If the sugar cube is being stubborn and doesn’t fully dissolve, just use the back of the spoon to crush it, then stir.
    • I also tried a quick infusion with this method. I scraped some vanilla bean into one batch and it tasted amazing. It wasn’t quite as flavorful as a real vanilla bean simple syrup, but it worked. I also added 2 drops of bitters to the sugar cube before dissolving it which was another great way to get more flavor in there.
    • This recipe is equal to 1 oz. of simple syrup so plan accordingly depending on how much your cocktail recipe calls for.
    • You can also use this same method with more sugar cubes and more club soda to make a larger batch if needed. You may have to stir a little bit longer.

    Frequently asked questions

    Will regular water dissolve the sugar cube?

    It potentially would but after a really long time of stirring. The carbonation is what really helps to break down the sugar faster. Using warm water would make it dissolve faster, but as we are making this to sweeten a cocktail, you don’t want to have to wait for the liquid to cool down again.

    What drinks could you add this easy syrup recipe to?

    This easy simple syrup idea is great for cocktails, non-alcoholic mocktails and drinks like lemonade and tea.

    What can I substitute if I don’t have simple syrup?

    If you don’t have a sugar cube or club soda, you can use honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to sweeten your drink.

    Can you make flavored simple syrups with this sugar cube method?

    As I mentioned in the tips, adding vanilla bean (or even extract) or bitters added a little flavor. But because it is made so quickly, it won’t give things like herbs or fruit long enough to steep and add concentrated flavor.

    A yellow cocktail next to a bottle of club soda and sugar cubes on a counter.

    Are you as excited about this Sugar Cube Simple Syrup as I am?! I usually use agave syrup in my cocktails as my sweetener of choice. But sometimes I don’t want that slight, caramel-esque flavor.

    Sometimes it’s all about that refined white sugar taste. And this simple syrup with sugar cubes has it!

    Related recipes

    If you want to browse more cocktail recipes, check out my drink collections: Vodka Recipes, Moscow Mule Variations, Wine Cocktails, Fireball Cocktails, Cocktails with Bitters, Cocktails Made with Coke or 2-Ingredient Cocktails.

    • Homemade Blueberry Simple Syrup Recipe From Scratch
    • Basil Simple Syrup Recipe for Cocktails
    • Blackberry Simple Syrup Recipe
    • Lavender Tea Recipe for Cocktails and Drinks
    Hand mixing a clear liquid in a small glass bowl.

    Sugar Cube Simple Syrup

    This sugar cube into simple syrup recipe is perfect for sweetening one drink. It's a great hack when you don't want to spend the time or energy to make a whole batch and let it cool down.
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    Course: cocktails, Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 15kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Ingredients

    • 1 sugar cube
    • 1 oz. club soda

    Instructions

    • Add sugar cube to a small bowl.
    • Pour 1 ounce of club soda over your sugar cube.
    • Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
    • Add into your cocktail recipe.

    Notes

    • If the sugar cube is being stubborn and doesn’t fully dissolve, just use the back of the spoon to crush it, then stir.
    • This recipe is equal to 1 oz. of simple syrup so plan accordingly depending on how much your cocktail recipe calls for.
    • You can also use this same method with more sugar cubes and more club soda to make a larger batch if needed. You may have to stir a little bit longer.
    • This cheater Simple Syrup works for cocktails, mocktails and drinks like lemonade and iced tea! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 1mg
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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at cupcakesandcutlery@gmail.com

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    Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

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