Complement your next cocktail with the full-bodied and rum-based Allspice Dram.
I didn’t know much about allspice, until I had to, that is. But that can be true of so many topics and tasks that we come across in our lives. I had heard the name allspice before, and always assumed it had something to do with Christmastime or the winter season in general. There was something about the combination of the words “all” and “spice” that sounded cozy to me, and I pictured myself by a warm fire, wearing an oversized sweater, and sipping on something strong, hot, and booze-filled.
I wasn’t too far off, it turns out. Allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper, is a dried unripe berry from the Pimenta dioica tree, native to the Caribbean and Central America. Its flavor is something close to a combination of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, which adds the perfect holiday-tinged taste to allspice dram—a spiced liqueur made from allspice berries, rum, and brown sugar. The resulting liqueur is a popular ingredient in a number of tiki drinks, too.
Allspice dram hails from Jamaica, and often uses a dark Jamaican rum with those distinctive “funky” tropical notes that make the spirit so distinct from others of its kind. The finished liqueur’s heavily spiced notes have quite a flavorful kick, which is why the libations that feature it use it sparingly. This way it lends a warm complexity to your cocktails without overpowering them.
You won’t really know the joys of allspice dram until you make it yourself. So go ahead and give yourself a gift that you and your friends can enjoy this weekend.
What is the best Rum to use to make Allspice Dram?
Our recipe suggests using an overproof or navy-strength rum. These are very strong and flavorful spirits, often used as float toppers in tiki drinks and other cocktails. Wray & Nephew, a white overproof variety, is one of the most popular rums in Jamaica and can be found in many liquor stores. Smith & Cross is a darker Jamaican rum and will also work nicely, as it too is very potent, being navy-strength.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup whole allspice berries
- 1 cup rum navy-strength or overproof rum if possible
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Crush the allspice berries in a mortar and pestle (or put them in a ziplock bag and crush with a heavy skillet). You want them cracked and coarse, not pulverized into dust.
- Pour the crushed berries into a glass jar and add the rum. Seal the jar and shake well.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4 days, shaking it daily.
- On day 5, add the cinnamon stick to the jar. Let it steep for another 8 days
- Strain the rum through a fine-mesh sieve, then run it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the fine sediment.
- In a saucepan, combine the water and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Pour the infused rum into a clean bottle or jar, then add the cooled sugar syrup. Stir or shake to combine. Let the mixture rest for at least 24 hours before using.
Nutrition
How To Store Homemade Allspice Dram?
Keep your mixed allspice dram in a resealable glass bottle or mason jar. Let it sit for 24 hours before using any, and store it in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or liquor cabinet.
What is Navy-Proof rum?
Navy-proof is a VERY potent variety of rum, often being at around 114 proof (57% ABV). The British Royal Navy would keep such high-proof spirits on board their ships, in case any spilled on the gunpowder, it could still be used in battle and ignite.
Drinks featuring Allspice Dram
Now that you have your jar of homemade allspice dram ready to use, all you need is a few cocktails to try it out in. And if you find yourself drawing a blank as to what to mix up, Twist & Toast is here to help. Check out the recipes below to get yourself started, then experiment with other tipples that you think might benefit from some extra robust and spiced flavor.
- Three Dots & A Dash – A tiki favorite that often features the flavors of allspice dram (also known as pimento dram).
- Lion’s Tale – A classic bourbon sipper that will remain in your memory a long time.
- Wassail – Add a little allspice dram to this Christmas staple.
- Hot Buttered Rum – Another winter must-have that benefits from the charms of allspice.
Leave a Comment