While white sugar adds sweetness, brown sugar also adds flavour and the strength of that flavour ranges from a light muscovado to a dark rich demerara sugar. And while white sugar works with vodka or gin-based cocktails, brown sugar tends to better suit cocktails based on aged spirits.
For decades, the Old Fashioned has been the cocktail most identified with the use of dark over white sugar. Recently, the popularity of the Espresso Martini, which often benefits from a bar spoon of dark sugar syrup, has driven the use of brown sugar in many bars.
White sugar crystals don't easily dissolve in cold liquids so pre-dissolved sugar syrups are preferred by most for use in cocktails. Many brown sugars are even more resistant to leaving their crystalline form so force the use of a syrup.
Numerous commercially made dark sugar syrups are now available, including a very flavoursome muscovado syrup by Monin. I prefer to use their Brown Cane Sugar Syrup as this adds a subtle flavour without being a domineering as the muscovado can be in some cocktails. In terms of sweetness (Brix), this syrup is close to a 2 parts sugar to 1 part water by volume homemade syrup. If using a 1:1 "simple syrup" then, depending on personal taste, you'll need a third more syrup in the following recipes. [see 2 to 1 rich sugar syrup versus 1 to 1 simple syrup]
American Trilogy
With: Applejack, rye whiskey, brown sugar syrup, orange bitters.
We say: The original recipe calls for a sugar cube to be made into a paste. Syrup is easier!
Blackthorn No.2 (Homeboy's)
With: Irish whiskey, tawny port, brown sugar syrup, absinthe, and aromatic bitters.
We say: A whiskey-laced boozy blackcurrant fruit pastille...
Bourbon Old Fashioned
With: Bourbon, brown sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: Generous dashes of bitters add spice to delicately sweetened bourbon...
Brandy Old Fashioned (Wisconsin-style)
With: Cognac, fresh orange, maraschino cherry, brown sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: Fruity and lightly sweetened brandy cooled and diluted with crushed ice...
Chef's Kiss
With: Fernet liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, lime juice, and brown sugar syrup.
We say: A riff on a Naked & Famous. It's an impactful kiss...
Colonial Ties
With: Rye whiskey, aged Jamaican rum, absinthe, brown sugar syrup, and orange bitters.
We say: Another cocktail where, one person's paste is another's syrup!
The Conference
With: Bourbon, rye whiskey, calvados, cognac, brown sugar syrup, aromatic bitters, and mole bitters.
We say: All the participants in this cocktail are heard and their contribution is equally valued...
Dr. Rieux
With: Calvados, light white rum, Swedish punsch, brown sugar syrup, and lemon juice.
We say: Rounded, citrusy and delicately spicy with an attractive underlying funk...
Fray Wray
With: Caribbean 3-5 year aged blended rum, cognac, banana liqueur, lime juice, blanc rhum Agricole, brown sugar syrup, and fresh lime.
We say: Banana notes are subtle in this rum and cognac-laced sipper...
Halekulani
With: Rye whiskey, brown sugar syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: Spicy bottled-in-bond rye whiskey notes shine in this cocktail...
Irish Coffee
With: Irish whiskey, brown sugar syrup, filter coffee, and cream.
We say: A cocktail where the sugar is as crucial as the choice of whiskey and coffee...
Jack Tar
With: Navy rum, bourbon whiskey, dry gin, lime juice, lemon juice, and brown sugar syrup.
We say: Characterful rum leads with gin and whiskey playing supporting roles with hints of citrus...
More Supreme Daiquiri
With: Aged Agricole rhum, lime juice, brown sugar syrup, and Italian red bitter liqueur.
We say: Characterful rum leads with gin and whiskey playing supporting roles with hints of citrus...
Old Fashioned
With: Bourbon, rye whiskey, brown sugar syrup, and Abbotts bitters.
We say: Achieving the right dilution and a good chill are essential to the enjoyment of this sublime classic...
Palo Negro
With: Reposado tequila, palo cortado sherry, black rum, cognac orange liqueur, and brown sugar syrup.
We say: A complex spirit-led, after-dinner/late-night sipper...
Prescription Julep
With: Mint leaves, cognac, rye whiskey, brown sugar syrup, and orange bitters.
We say: Rye whiskey and cognac combine harmoniously in this delicious julep...
Queen's Park Swizzle
With: Mint leaves, 3 year old gold rum, lime juice, brown sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: A close relation to the Mojito but drier, more complex and tad less minty...
Revolutionary Flip
With: Cognac, tawny port, brown sugar syrup, British bitter ale, and egg white & yolk.
We say: "Full-bodied" both describes this cocktail and how you'll feel after consuming it...
Rum Swizzle
With: Caribbean 8 year old blended rum, falernum liqueur, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: Dark rich sugar, equally dark and richly flavoured rum with spice and citrus...
Velvet Old Fashioned
With: Blended scotch whisky, pedro ximénez sherry, brown sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters.
We say: A potentially brilliant cocktail that depends on good sherry and achieving perfect dilution...
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