Falernum (Lime, Clove and Ginger Liqueur)

Before you start

Falernum is a sweet Caribbean cordial flavored with lime, clove, ginger and often almond. Some commercial versions are non-alcoholic syrups and others are low-proof liqueurs; this one is the liqueur style, built by steeping aromatics in overproof white rum for a day and then sweetening the strained infusion. It adds a tingling spice to the Corn 'n' Oil, the Chartreuse Swizzle, the Zombie and countless tiki recipes.

Overproof rum is used because strong alcohol extracts the oils from lime zest and clove quickly and keeps the finished cordial stable. Zest only the green layer; white pith adds bitterness that does not fade. Clove is powerful, so this recipe uses a measured amount and you can steep it separately if you prefer more control. The finished falernum is around 25 percent alcohol, so it is used in small measures, usually 7 to 15 ml per drink.

Ingredients

• Infusion180 ml (6 oz) overproof white rum — about 63% ABV
• 6 limes, zest only — removed with a peeler, white pith scraped off
• 20 whole cloves — lightly toasted
• 30 g (2 in piece) fresh ginger — peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 allspice berries — lightly cracked
• 20 g (3 tbsp) slivered almonds — toasted; optional, see safety note
• Sweetener225 ml (about ¾ cup + 3 tbsp) rich simple syrup (2:1) — made with 200 g sugar and 100 ml water, cooled
• 15 ml (½ oz) fresh lime juice — strained

Method

1. Toast the cloves, allspice and almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes, shaking the pan, until fragrant. Let them cool.
2. Peel the zest from the limes in wide strips. Lay each strip skin-side down and scrape away any white pith with a paring knife.
3. Put the zest, toasted spices, almonds and ginger in a clean jar. Pour in the rum, seal, shake and leave at room temperature, away from sunlight, for 24 hours. Taste after 12 hours; if the clove is already strong, pull the cloves out.
4. Make the rich syrup by stirring 200 g sugar into 100 ml hot water until clear. Cool it completely.
5. Strain the infused rum through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing the solids lightly, then pass it through a coffee filter to remove fine sediment.
6. Stir the strained rum with the rich syrup and lime juice. The mixture may turn slightly hazy as the lime oils meet water; that is expected.
7. Bottle, label with the date and let it rest for at least a day so the flavors knit together. Refrigerate after opening.

Tips for success

• For a Corn 'n' Oil, build 60 ml aged Barbados rum, 15 ml falernum, 7 ml lime juice and 2 dashes Angostura over crushed ice.
• Use a microplane only if you are careful. A peeler gives wider strips that are easier to clean of pith.
• Store-bought non-alcoholic falernum syrups are sweeter. If a recipe was written for one, you may need slightly more of this liqueur version.

Substitutions

Overproof rum

A standard 40% white rum works, but extraction is slower; steep for 48 hours and expect a softer, less stable result.

Almonds

Leave them out for a nut-free falernum. The cordial loses a little roundness but keeps its core lime-clove character.

Rich syrup

Demerara rich syrup gives a darker, more molasses-forward falernum that suits aged rums.

Troubleshooting

The clove flavor is overpowering

The cloves steeped too long. Blend the batch with a little extra rum and syrup, and next time remove cloves at 12 hours.

It tastes bitter

White pith went into the jar. Scrape zest thoroughly; bitterness from pith does not mellow with time.

Sediment collects in the bottle

Fine lime oils and spice particles settle. Filter through a coffee filter again, or simply decant from the top.

Storage

Keep the sealed bottle in a cool, dark place and refrigerate once opened; the alcohol and sugar make it fairly stable. Flavor is brightest within about 3 months, after which the lime fades. Discard it if it ever smells sour or shows mold.

Safety notes

This falernum is roughly 25% ABV. A 15 ml pour contains about 0.2 U.S. standard drinks (one standard drink is about 14 g of pure alcohol), and the whole batch holds roughly 6 standard drinks. The optional almonds are a tree nut allergen. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age, and never drink and drive.