Gold Cordial

Class: Liqueur

Source: Rum Distiller's Manual (1855)

Ingredients

11 Gallons Proof Spirit

2 Gallons Water

4 lbs Angelica Root

1/2 lb Caraway Seed

1/2 lb Cinnamon

2 oz Cloves

1 lb Figs

1 lb Liquorice Root

8 lbs White Sugar

3 Quarts Rose Water

Instructions:
Combine everything except the sugar and Rose Water, digest two days and draw off (in a still) by a gently heat till the feints begin to rise. Then dissolve eight pounds of white sugar in three quarts of rose water, and add it to the distilled liquor. The above cordial derives its name from a quantity of leaf gold being formally added, but is now disused.

Notes:

History
Throughout history Gold was believed to have many magical properties, including the ability to heal and protect from disease. Aside from just wearing gold jewelery, doctors and chemists believed that imbibing a quantity of gold would be beneficial. In early recipes (1600's) a small quantity of gold would have been added to this cordial.

Starting in the 1700's, people realized the gold didn't help, so it was no-longer added, but people stilled enjoyed the flavour, and effects, of Gold Cordial.

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