The market · Liqueurs and bitters · The Americas

Falernum

A Barbadian sweetener of lime zest, clove, ginger and almond — sold as a low-strength liqueur or a syrup — the spice in many tiki drinks.

lime zest · clove · almond

If you can't find it

Specialist spirit shops; Velvet Falernum is the usual one.

  1. 1Homemade falernum
    Rich syrup steeped overnight with lime zest, sliced ginger, cloves and a drop of almond
    You lose the rum backbone.

Goes with

jamaican rumlime juiceangostura bitterpineapple

Knowing it

Where to buy
The liqueur at about 11% is the classic; non-alcoholic falernum syrups vary a lot.
Worth knowing
Make your own: steep lime zest, toasted cloves, fresh ginger and a few toasted almonds in overproof rum for a day, strain, and mix with rich syrup and a little lime juice. The clove is strong — start with a few.

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