Let’s get a little geeky. Some bars use brown sugar cubes (Demerara or Turbinado). These are slightly less processed and have a tiny bit of molasses. Does that mean less sugar?
Nope. Brown sugar has almost the exact same amount of sugar as white sugar. Gram for gram, it’s a tie. The only difference is flavor. Brown sugar adds a richer, deeper caramel note that makes your drink taste like a hug from a lumberjack.
So, don’t be fooled by the “health halo” of raw sugar. It’s still sugar. It’s just with a fancier tan.
What About the Bitters? (Spoiler: They’re Innocent)
Angostura bitters are often the scapegoat in this conversation. “Oh no, bitters have sugar!” Yes, they do contain a little. But we’re talking about a few drops. Like, maybe 0.1 grams per cocktail.
Unless you’re drinking a pint of straight bitters (please don’t), you can ignore them. They’re the equivalent of a single sprinkle of cinnamon on your oatmeal. They add magic, not calories.
