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!
Why this recipe works
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 sugar cube simple syrup 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.
But it is a hack! Just know that you won’t get that syrup consistency from the traditional simple syrup.
Since I almost never plan ahead, having a batch of simple syrup ready and cooled to use in my cocktails is not happening. So this is the perfect way to sweeten one drink or cocktail quickly.
This would also work for sweetening up non-alcoholic drinks like lemonade and tea.
You can try this sugar cube simple syrup in a Pear Cocktail with Chardonnay or a Tea Gimlet. YUM!
Ingredient notes
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
- Add one sugar cube to a small bowl.
2. Add 1 ounce of club soda to the 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
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.
This easy simple syrup idea is great for cocktails, non-alcoholic mocktails and drinks like lemonade and tea.
If you don’t have a sugar cube or club soda, you can use honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to sweeten your drink.
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 sugar cube simple syrup has it!
Related recipes
Sugar Cube Simple Syrup
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 the correct amount of sugar cube simple syrup as per the recipe you are working with.
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.
- Sugar Cube Simple Syrup works for cocktails, mocktails and drinks like lemonade and iced tea!
Leave a Reply