Falernum

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Falernum is a sweet syrup used in Tropical and Caribbean drinks. It contains flavors of almond, ginger and/or cloves, and lime, and sometimes vanilla or allspice. It is used in cocktails in a manner similar to orgeat syrup. The syrup form is usually non-alcoholic. The consistency is thick, the color can be white to light amber, and it may be clear or translucent.

Falernum owes its name to the renowned ancient Roman wine Falernian, known as Falernum in Latin.

Some reports have the origination of Falernum dated back to the 1700's, but the earliest known reference in bar manuals seems to be the 1930s. One producer (see below) claims their recipe to date to 1890, winning awards as early as 1923. Famous drinks including Falernum include:

Bermuda Rum Swizzle, Captain's Blood Cocktail, Frosty Dawn, Jamaican Coke, Key Cocktail, Port Antonio Cocktail, some Rum Collins variations, and the White Lion among others.

[edit] Falernum liqueur

Falernum is also an alcoholic sweet liqueur made from rum in Barbados. Similar to other after-dinner aperitifs, it can be drunk on the rocks or used in cocktails. Sometimes Grenadine or orgeat has been used as a substitute, but neither has the complexity and undertones of flavor of falernum.

Sazerac Co. made Falernum for a long time, but dropped production due to lack of sales. DaVinciGourmet and Fee Brothers produce non-alcoholic versions, and John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum is a nationally distributed alcoholic brand re-distributed by the Spirit of Hartford, Avon, CT, U.S.A.