Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar
A dark rum twist on the Old Fashioned, enhanced with rich Demerara sugar and aromatic orange peel. This cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together dark aged rum, Demerara sugar, dashes Angostura bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz dark aged rum
- 1 tsp Demerara sugar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large ice sphere
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a rocks glass, add 1 tsp Demerara sugar and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Muddle gently with a bar spoon until the sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz dark aged rum into the glass and stir gently to combine the syrup and bitters.
- Step 3: Add a single large clear ice sphere to chill the drink slowly without excessive dilution.
- Step 4: Express the oils of a wide orange peel strip over the surface by holding it over the glass and twisting firmly.
- Step 5: Rub the orange peel around the rim, then rest it inside the glass as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar?
Refrigerate any leftover rum old fashioned with demerara sugar in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Rum Old Fashioned with Demerara Sugar?
Cocktails & Drinks cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
