DIY Falernum Recipe

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Updated Jun. 30, 2021
DIY Falernum

Liz Clayman

Falernum can be tricky to find commercially, but it's easy to make at home so that you can be ready to mix up lots of classic Tiki cocktails.

I kept it pretty simple, but you could use an overproof rum or include ginger, star anise, cinnamon, or lemon zest. If you want to do it syrup style, you could skip the rum altogether and just flavor a simple syrup.

Notes: I left the ginger out, because I think it takes over the flavor. However, many consider it a part of the traditional recipe. You can add a tablespoon of grated ginger with the lime zest, if desired. Falernum is best used within a month, and does not need to be refrigerated.

Recipe Facts

5

(2)

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Active: 20 mins
Infusing Time: 84 hrs
Total: 84 hrs 35 mins
Serves: 16 servings
Makes: 2 cups

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Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup sliced, raw almonds

  • 30 whole cloves

  • 1/2 cup light rum

  • 8 limes

  • 2/3 cup water

  • 1/2 cup sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and toast the almonds on a cookie sheet until slightly darkened and fragrant, about five minutes. Be careful not to let them burn. Let cool before using.

    toasted slivered almonds on a baking sheet

    Liz Clayman

  2. Place the almonds and cloves in a sealable glass jar and pour in the rum. Shake and let steep 2 days. (For a less intense clove flavor, steep 1 day.)

    toasted almonds, cloves, and rum in a jar, ready to steep

    Liz Clayman

  3. Zest the limes, being sure no white pith is included. Set aside four of the limes for use in the rest of this recipe, and reserve the rest for another project. Add lime zest to the jar. At this point you can also add other spices, if desired. Shake and let steep for 1 day.

    lime zest added to jar after 2 days of steeping

    Liz Clayman

  4. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.

    A hand squeezing cheesecloth with the mixture

    Liz Clayman

  5. Juice four of the limes, and strain the juice into a sauce pot. Add water and sugar, then bring to a boil on medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let syrup cool, then combine with the strained almond and clove infusion. Strain mixture through a coffee filter, if desired, then let it rest for an additional 12 hours before use.

    straining the combined liquids through a coffee filter into a glass jar

    Liz Clayman

Special equipment

cookie sheet, zester, fine-mesh strainer, coffee filter or cheese cloth

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
47 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 47
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 6mg 30%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 29mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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