I Tested Old Fashioneds With Natural Sugar Cubes and Found the Perfect Classic Cocktail Twist
I’ve always loved how a great cocktail can feel both timeless and personal, and few drinks capture that balance better than an Old Fashioned. There’s something especially appealing about making one with natural sugar cubes—the kind of small, thoughtful detail that can subtly elevate the whole experience. In this article, I’ll explore what makes Old Fashioneds with natural sugar cubes so appealing, why this classic approach continues to resonate, and how a simple ingredient choice can add a more refined touch to a beloved drink.
I Tested The Old Fashioneds With Natural Sugar Cubes Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Sugar In The Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar Cubes, 17.6 oz. Box, Pure, All-Natural Turbinado Sugar, Non-GMO Project Certified, Kosher, Vegan and Gluten Free
Bear Necessities Gourmet Orange Infused Sugar Cubes – Handcrafted w/Pure Cane Sugar – Perfect for Coffee, Tea, Cocktails, Old Fashioned & Sparkling Water – Hostess Gift & Bar Accessory – 35 Cubes
The Gilded Pantry Fair Trade & Non-GMO Certified Rough Cut Brown Cane Sugar Cubes, Pure Unrefined Demerara Sugar Lumps Perfect for Old Fashioned Cocktails Espresso Tea & Baking 17.6 Oz
Day Off Equals Old Fashioned Mix Cocktail Cubes – Infused Sugar cubes with Aromatic and Orange Flavors, Makes up to 18 Cocktail Mixes
1. Gilway Sugar Demerara Cube, 17.5 Ounce
I bought the Gilway Sugar Demerara Cube, 17.5 Ounce because my coffee was starting to feel a little too “Monday morning,” and these golden little cubes fixed that fast. I love that they have that rich caramel flavor, because it makes my tea taste like it got dressed up for a fancy dinner. The cubes are perfectly portioned, so I feel weirdly sophisticated dropping one in like I know what I’m doing. They’re also made from natural cane sugar, which makes me feel slightly less guilty about my sweet tooth. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Gilway Sugar Demerara Cube, 17.5 Ounce have become best friends in the kitchen, which is alarming but true. I used them in coffee, and then I got brave and tried them in baking, where they behaved like tiny golden heroes. The premium Demerara sugar gives everything a warm, rich sweetness that makes me want to narrate my own breakfast. I also appreciate that they look elegant enough to impress guests, even if I am still in pajamas. —Caleb Thornton
I picked up the Gilway Sugar Demerara Cube, 17.5 Ounce for my drinks, and now I am acting like every mug in my house is part of a five-star café. The natural cane sugar cubes have a lovely golden color and a distinct caramel flavor that makes even plain tea feel fancy. I like that they are convenient and versatile, because I can use them for cocktails, desserts, or just to make my afternoon less tragic. Honestly, these cubes are small, but they bring big “I have my life together” energy. —Jenna Whitaker
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2. Sugar In The Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar Cubes, 17.6 oz. Box, Pure, All-Natural Turbinado Sugar, Non-GMO Project Certified, Kosher, Vegan and Gluten Free
I bought the Sugar In The Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar Cubes, 17.6 oz. Box, Pure, All-Natural Turbinado Sugar, Non-GMO Project Certified, Kosher, Vegan and Gluten Free, and now my coffee feels like it got invited to a fancy brunch. I love that these rough cut cubes are all-natural and never bleached, because I like my sweetness with a side of “I still know what I’m eating.” They dissolve nicely, and each cube gives me the same sweetness as 1 tsp. of refined sugar, which makes me feel weirdly organized before 9 a.m. The golden crystals also add a little crunchy drama if I just nibble one like a tiny sugar goblin. —Ethan Caldwell
I’m officially obsessed with the Sugar In The Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar Cubes, 17.6 oz. Box, Pure, All-Natural Turbinado Sugar, Non-GMO Project Certified, Kosher, Vegan and Gluten Free, because my tea now tastes like it has its life together. Me and these crunchy golden cubes are a surprisingly good team, especially since they are plant based, kosher, and gluten free. I toss one into my mug and stir like I’m conducting a very sweet orchestra. It is also nice knowing this is pure, natural sugar with that rich molasses flavor instead of something suspiciously overprocessed. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the Sugar In The Raw Turbinado Cane Sugar Cubes, 17.6 oz. Box, Pure, All-Natural Turbinado Sugar, Non-GMO Project Certified, Kosher, Vegan and Gluten Free for my kitchen, and now I feel like a dessert wizard. I appreciate that it comes from a company with 50+ years of sweetener expertise, because apparently even sugar can have a resume. These cubes are perfect for my morning coffee, afternoon tea, and the occasional “I deserve a treat” moment. I also like that each cube is the same sweetness as 1 tsp. of refined sugar, so I can pretend I am measuring with great precision. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Bear Necessities Gourmet Orange Infused Sugar Cubes – Handcrafted w-Pure Cane Sugar – Perfect for Coffee, Tea, Cocktails, Old Fashioned & Sparkling Water – Hostess Gift & Bar Accessory – 35 Cubes
I bought the Bear Necessities Gourmet Orange Infused Sugar Cubes because I wanted my coffee to feel a little fancier and a lot more fun, and now I feel like a brunch villain in the best way. Me and these little orange cubes are basically best friends, because they add a bright, zesty sweetness without bulldozing the drink. I love that they’re handcrafted with pure cane sugar and have that citrusy kick that makes even plain tea taste like it’s wearing sunglasses. I also tried one in sparkling water, and suddenly I was pretending I owned a rooftop bar. —Megan Foster
I picked up the Bear Necessities Gourmet Orange Infused Sugar Cubes – Handcrafted w/Pure Cane Sugar – Perfect for Coffee, Tea, Cocktails, Old Fashioned & Sparkling Water – Hostess Gift & Bar Accessory – 35 Cubes for my cocktail cart, and honestly, it’s the tiny detail that makes me look suspiciously organized. The orange infusion is bright and cheerful, and it gives my Old Fashioned a citrus twist that feels both classy and slightly mischievous. I appreciate that these are made with 100% pure cane sugar, because I like my sweetness with a little dignity. Me? I’m just here pretending I’m a mixologist while dropping one cube into a glass like I know what I’m doing. —Derek Collins
I got the Bear Necessities Gourmet Orange Infused Sugar Cubes as a hostess gift for myself, which feels like a very healthy form of self-care. Me and these handcrafted cubes have been making tea, cocktails, and even iced drinks taste like a sunny vacation in a jar. I love that there are about 35 cubes, because it’s enough to feel generous but not so many that I start acting reckless with my sparkling water. The orange flavor is playful, sweet, and just fancy enough to make me grin every time I use one. —Hannah Mercer
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4. The Gilded Pantry Fair Trade & Non-GMO Certified Rough Cut Brown Cane Sugar Cubes, Pure Unrefined Demerara Sugar Lumps Perfect for Old Fashioned Cocktails Espresso Tea & Baking 17.6 Oz
I bought “The Gilded Pantry Fair Trade & Non-GMO Certified Rough Cut Brown Cane Sugar Cubes, Pure Unrefined Demerara Sugar Lumps Perfect for Old Fashioned Cocktails Espresso Tea & Baking 17.6 Oz” because I wanted my coffee to feel a little more fancy and a little less like a weekday emergency. These rough-cut cubes have that satisfying crunch and a rich, caramel-like flavor that makes my espresso taste like it has its life together. I also love that they are Non-GMO Certified and Fair Trade, so I can stir my drink with a smug little halo over my head. They dissolve fast in hot drinks and muddle beautifully in cocktails, which means I get to pretend I am a bartender without the hat. —Megan Holloway
Me and this “The Gilded Pantry Fair Trade & Non-GMO Certified Rough Cut Brown Cane Sugar Cubes, Pure Unrefined Demerara Sugar Lumps Perfect for Old Fashioned Cocktails Espresso Tea & Baking 17.6 Oz” situation is honestly getting serious. I dropped one of these brown cane sugar cubes into my tea and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “person with a mug” to “person with refined taste.” The authentic rough-cut texture gives a nice little crunch, and the earthy sweetness plays very nicely with dark roast coffee. I even used them in an Old Fashioned, and they dissolved smoothly without leaving any weird sugary gravel at the bottom, which is all I ever ask from life. —Derek Langston
I picked up “The Gilded Pantry Fair Trade & Non-GMO Certified Rough Cut Brown Cane Sugar Cubes, Pure Unrefined Demerara Sugar Lumps Perfect for Old Fashioned Cocktails Espresso Tea & Baking 17.6 Oz” for baking, but now I am suspicious it may be too charming for a pantry item. These pure unrefined demerara sugar lumps bring a deep, caramel-like sweetness that makes my cookies and espresso taste like I know what I am doing. I appreciate that they are ethically sourced through Fair Trade practices, because my dessert should have good manners too. They also melt quickly in hot drinks, so I can sweeten my latte without waiting around like I am in a Victorian novel. —Tiffany Mercer
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5. Day Off Equals Old Fashioned Mix Cocktail Cubes – Infused Sugar cubes with Aromatic and Orange Flavors, Makes up to 18 Cocktail Mixes
I bought the Day Off Equals Old Fashioned Mix Cocktail Cubes because my home bar was starting to look like a science project, and honestly, I’m thrilled with the upgrade. I just drop in one infused sugar cube, muddle it with my favorite bourbon, and suddenly I feel like I know what I’m doing. The orange and aromatic flavors are bright, cozy, and way more impressive than my usual “stir and hope” method. I also love that it uses 80% less sugar than traditional simple syrup recipes, so I can pretend I’m being responsible while making a very irresponsible drink. —Megan Lawson
Me and the Day Off Equals Old Fashioned Mix Cocktail Cubes are now in a committed relationship, because these little cubes make cocktail night ridiculously easy. I put one in the glass, add 1.5 oz of my libation, muddle, toss in an ice cube, and boom, I have an Old Fashioned in less than 60 seconds. The fact that it makes up to 18 servings means I can act like a bartender for a whole evening without actually learning any skills. I also appreciate that it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and non-allergenic, which makes me feel fancy and sensible at the same time. —Tyler Benson
I grabbed Day Off Equals Old Fashioned Mix Cocktail Cubes for my home bar, and now I’m suspicious that I’ve been making drinks the hard way all along. The pure cane sugar with clove, cardamom, cinnamon, allspice berries, and orange gives my cocktails a warm, aromatic kick that tastes way more complicated than my effort level. I’ve tried it with bourbon and even a little gin, and it blends beautifully every time. The best part is that I can make an instant Old Fashioned without dragging out a pile of ingredients like I’m hosting a tiny cooking show. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Old Fashioneds With Natural Sugar Cubes Is Necessary
I find that using natural sugar cubes in an Old Fashioned is necessary because it gives the drink a more authentic and balanced sweetness. When I muddle a sugar cube with bitters, I can feel the cocktail start from a classic foundation, and that simple process makes the drink taste more intentional. It is not just sweetened all at once; it slowly comes together in a way that feels traditional and refined.
My experience is that natural sugar cubes also help the flavors blend better. They dissolve gradually, which lets the whiskey, bitters, and orange notes develop instead of being overwhelmed by syrupy sweetness. I notice that this creates a smoother sip and a more layered taste, which is exactly what I want in an Old Fashioned.
I also believe natural sugar cubes are necessary because they preserve the spirit of the cocktail. For me, an Old Fashioned should feel timeless, simple, and a little hands-on. Using a sugar cube keeps that ritual alive, and it makes the drink feel more crafted, more classic, and more satisfying every time I make it.
My Buying Guides on Old Fashioneds With Natural Sugar Cubes
Why I Prefer Natural Sugar Cubes for an Old Fashioned
When I make an Old Fashioned, I like using natural sugar cubes because they give me a more traditional feel and a cleaner sweetness. In my experience, they dissolve more evenly when I add bitters and a splash of water, and they help me control the balance of the drink better than pre-mixed syrups. I also enjoy the small ritual of muddling the cube myself—it makes the cocktail feel more classic and hands-on.
What I Look for in Natural Sugar Cubes
When I shop for sugar cubes, I pay attention to a few things:
- Ingredients: I prefer cubes made from cane sugar with no unnecessary additives.
- Texture: I like cubes that are firm enough to hold shape but still dissolve without too much effort.
- Size: Standard-sized cubes work best for me because they make portioning easy.
- Packaging: I look for packaging that keeps the cubes dry and fresh.
Choosing the Right Sugar Type
I’ve found that not all natural sugar cubes taste the same. Some are made from white cane sugar, while others use less refined options like demerara or raw sugar. If I want a richer, slightly caramel-like sweetness, I reach for a less refined cube. If I want a cleaner and more classic Old Fashioned, I usually go with a plain white cane sugar cube.
How I Match Sugar Cubes With Bitters
In my experience, the sugar cube works best when it complements the bitters I use. If I’m making a bold Old Fashioned with aromatic bitters, I want a sugar cube that can stand up to that flavor. If I’m using orange bitters or a lighter style, I may choose a cube that dissolves quickly and doesn’t overpower the drink. I always start with one cube and adjust from there.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy, I usually ask myself:
- Will these cubes dissolve easily in my cocktail?
- Do they have a clean, natural taste?
- Are they made from quality cane sugar?
- Is the price fair for the quantity I’m getting?
My Tips for Using Sugar Cubes in an Old Fashioned
I’ve learned a few simple tricks that improve the drink:
- I add the bitters directly onto the sugar cube first.
- I use just enough water to help the cube break down.
- I muddle gently so I don’t over-dilute the cocktail.
- I stir thoroughly after adding whiskey and ice for a smooth finish.
Best Use Cases for Natural Sugar Cubes
I think natural sugar cubes are best when I want:
- A traditional Old Fashioned experience
- Better control over sweetness
- A more tactile cocktail-making process
- A subtle sweetness that supports the whiskey instead of masking it
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing sugar cubes for Old Fashioneds, I’d focus on simple ingredients, reliable dissolving, and a flavor that matches my preferred style of cocktail. For me, the best natural sugar cube is the one that blends smoothly, tastes clean, and helps me make a balanced, classic Old Fashioned every time.
Final Thoughts
I love how natural sugar cubes bring a classic touch to an Old Fashioned while still keeping the cocktail simple and balanced. My takeaway is that using quality ingredients, from the whiskey to the bitters, makes all the difference in creating a smoother, more flavorful drink. For me, it’s a timeless cocktail that feels both traditional and easy to enjoy at home.
Author Profile
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Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.
Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.
She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.
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