Velvet falernun in Detroit area?

[Jeff F]

Does anyone know a retail store where I can purchase velvet falernum?
My shop only has the non-alch fees available and it just isn't getting
the job done.

Thanks.

[Hansen, Evan]

I don't think it is available here, no. Or at least, not widely. I've never seen it. You could probably order it online from drinkupny.com if you wanted to order enough other stuff to justify the shipping costs. I think they sell it there.

That said, it's not hard to make your own if you're so inclined. (Of course, you have perhaps already done so, so apologies if this is redundant).

Basically, you just need to let lime zest, finely minced ginger, and some spices sit in some white rum for about 24-36 hours, strain it out, and then turn the resulting liquid into a 1:1 syrup. There are tons of ways to make it, and tons of opinions on the best formula, etc. The way I do it has the advantages of (a) being simple to make, (b) being reasonably inexpensive, and (c) using cheap, easy to find white rum rather than an overproof rum, which would probably eek a bit more flavor out of the spices.

Anyhow, I usually use about a half bottle of rum, put it in a pot, and then add to it:
- Zest of about 10-12 limes (the finer, the better)
- Juice of 1 or 2 of those limes
- About 2-3 tablespoons of minced ginger
- a small handful (about 10 or so) whole cloves
- a few allspice berries
- a quarter teaspoon of almond extract

Let it sit for 24 hours or even a bit longer if you'd like, then strain the liquid, add an equal amount of sugar (about a cup and a half), and gently heat the mixture and whisk until it's combined and dissolved entirely. It won't need to boil.

Mine is less sweet and less syrupy than Velvet, but I actually prefer it quite a bit for exactly that reason. Mine also uses WAY fewer cloves than you'll see in most recipes on the internet. Clove is mightily powerful stuff, and it comes through just fine with just a few of the guys. Obviously, one of the advantages of making your own is that you can adjust it to your taste.

-Evan-

Thanks.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GUDetroit" group.
To post to this group, send email to gu...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to gudet+un...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gudet?hl=en.