Cane Syrup, Falernum, Orgeat: What Belongs in a Rum Bar

Which Sugar? Simple Syrup, Cane Syrup, Demerara

Sugar dissolves poorly in cold alcohol, which is why bars work with syrup instead. Simple syrup consists of equal parts sugar and water, while rich syrup uses two parts sugar to one part water. Rich syrup is sweeter and dilutes less. In recipes, it's important to know which one is meant.

Sirop de canne made from cane sugar tastes rounder than white syrup and is the standard in Ti' Punch. Demerara syrup, made from brown cane sugar, brings a hint of molasses that pairs well with Jamaican rum and tiki drinks. The sugar is named after the Demerara region in Guyana, which also gives its name to Demerara rum. Homemade syrup keeps in the fridge for a few weeks, with rich syrup lasting longer than simple syrup.

What Is Falernum? A Spiced Syrup from Barbados

Falernum is a spiced syrup or liqueur from Barbados that tastes of lime, clove, ginger, and almond. According to tradition, rum, sugar, lime, and local spices were already being combined this way on the island in the 18th century. The best-known version is John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum, whose recipe reportedly dates back to 1890. It's bottled at 11% ABV and is now produced by Foursquare in Barbados.

There are also non-alcoholic falernum syrups, which tend to be sweeter and less spicy. In cocktails, falernum contributes spice, acidity, and sweetness all at once. It appears in the Zombie and many other tiki drinks. In Barbados, it's also simply mixed with rum, lime, and Angostura bitters.

Orgeat: Almond Syrup with Orange Blossom

Orgeat is a syrup made from almonds, sugar, and usually a touch of orange blossom water. The name comes from the French word "orge," meaning barley, since it was originally made from barley and almonds. Over time the barley disappeared, leaving behind a milky, cloudy almond syrup. In the Mai Tai, it provides the nutty roundness that bridges the funky Jamaican rum with the lime.

Orgeat is not amaretto. The Italian liqueur tastes of bitter almond and apricot kernel and contains alcohol, whereas orgeat tastes of sweet almond and blossoms. Homemade orgeat spoils quickly and belongs in the fridge. When serving guests, keep nut allergies in mind: orgeat is made from almonds, and falernum often contains them too.

Curaçao and Grenadine: What's Behind the Fruit and Color?

A Mai Tai needs an orange liqueur. Curaçao is named after the Caribbean island of the same name and is flavored with the peels of bitter oranges. In cocktails, it brings tangy orange notes along with some sweetness. A dry curaçao, some built on a brandy base, pairs better with aged rum than a bright blue, heavily sweetened version whose color exists purely for show.

Grenadine, in its original form, is a syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar; the name comes from the French "grenade," meaning pomegranate. Many bottles sold commercially, however, contain barely any fruit at all, relying instead on sugar, flavoring, and food coloring. Homemade grenadine comes together quickly: gently heat equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves. In the Zombie and the Planter's Punch, it adds a slightly tart fruity sweetness.

Lime, Bitters, Nutmeg: The Small Essentials

Almost nothing in a rum bar works without fresh limes. Bottled juice tastes flat and often slightly cooked, and even freshly squeezed juice loses its freshness after a few hours. It's best to juice limes right before mixing, rolling the fruit firmly on the table beforehand to release more juice.

Angostura bitters are the signature spice of the rum bar. They originally come from the Venezuelan town of Angostura but are now produced in Trinidad. A few dashes add depth to punches and long drinks. Nutmeg should be grated fresh over punch and Painkillers, since ground powder loses its aroma quickly.

For tiki drinks, you'll later want Allspice Dram, a liqueur made from Jamaican pimento, and cinnamon syrup. Beginners, though, only need a light and a dark aromatic rum, limes, sugar syrup, Angostura bitters, and a nutmeg. Falernum and orgeat open the door to Mai Tai and Zombie after that.