The Sweetener Beloved By F. Scott Fitzgerald That You Can Still Get Today

Where to find Alaga syrup today

If you’re a fan of biscuits drenched in butter and sweet Alaga syrup, you can still get your hands on a bottle even if you don’t reside in the South. The same brand that has been around for 106 years continues to produce approximately 800,000 bottles of this beloved syrup each year. However, it appears that the original recipe has been altered, as corn syrup now takes precedence as the main ingredient, with cane syrup following as the second ingredient on the label. The classic red label with bold yellow text remains largely unchanged, and the original logo featuring two hands shaking over a bundle of sugar cane is still in use.

For those living in the South, purchasing a bottle of Alaga syrup is a breeze at any supermarket or local grocery store. If you’re elsewhere, you can find the original Alaga brand bottles on Amazon for $17 for a 30-ounce bottle. The brand has also introduced a "yellow label" version, which is a mix of honey, corn syrup, and cane syrup. While there are other brands that produce cane syrup and both light and dark corn syrup, they typically don’t combine them in the same way that Alaga does.

The most traditional way to enjoy Alaga syrup is drizzled over biscuits, cornbread, waffles, or pancakes. Grits, another Southern favorite, can be enhanced with a hint of sweetness from the syrup. This thick sweetener is also perfect for glazes, dessert sauces, or for creating one of the South's most cherished desserts: pecan pie.