Falernum is a sweet syrup used in Caribbean and tropical drinks. It contains flavors of almond

Almond

The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...

, ginger

Ginger

Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....

 and/or cloves, and lime

Lime (fruit)

Lime is a term referring to a number of different citrus fruits, both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and...

, and sometimes vanilla

Vanilla

Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, Flat-leaved Vanilla . The word vanilla derives from the Spanish word "", little pod...

 or allspice

Allspice

Allspice, also called Jamaica pepper, pepper, myrtle pepper, pimenta, or newspice, is a spice that is the dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica , a mid-canopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world...

. It is used in cocktails in a manner similar to orgeat syrup

Orgeat syrup

Orgeat syrup is a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar and rose water or orange flower water. It was, however, originally made with a barley-almond blend...

 or drunk on the rocks. The syrup form can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The consistency is thick, the color can be white to light amber, and it may be clear or translucent.

Falernum owes its name to the renowned ancient Roman

Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....

 wine falernian

Falernian wine

Falernian wine was produced from Aglianico grapes on the slopes of Mt. Falernus near the border of Latium and Campania, where it became the most renowned wine produced in ancient Rome. Considered a "first growth" or "cult wine" for its time, it was often mentioned in Roman literature, but has...

, known as falernum in Latin

Latin

Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...

.

Some reports have the origination of falernum dated back to the 18th century, but the earliest known reference in bar manuals seems to be the 1930s. One producer (see below) claims their recipe to date to 1890, winning awards as early as 1923. Famous drinks including falernum include:

• Jet Pilot
• Bermuda Rum Swizzle
  Rum Swizzle
  A Rum Swizzle is a rum-based cocktail often called "Bermuda's national drink". The Royal Gazette has referred to it as "the legendary rum swizzle...perfect for sharing and irresistible to locals and tourists alike" In addition to providing the "swizzle" portion of the 1933 swizzle stick product...
  
  
• Don the Beachcomber
  Don the Beachcomber
  Donn Beach , born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, is the founding father of tiki restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The many so-called "Polynesian" restaurants and pubs that enjoyed great popularity are directly descended from what he created...
  
  's Mai Tai
  Mai Tai
  The Mai Tai is an alcoholic cocktail based on rum, Curaçao liqueur, and lime juice, associated with "Polynesian-style" settings.-History:It was purportedly invented at the Trader Vic's restaurant in Oakland, California in 1944. Trader Vic's rival, Don the Beachcomber, claimed to have created it in...
  
  
• Captain's Blood Cocktail
• Frosty Dawn
• Jamaican Coke
• Key Cocktail
• Port Antonio
  Port Antonio
  Port Antonio is the capital of the parish of Portland on the northeastern coast of Jamaica, about 60 miles from Kingston. It had a population of 12,285 in 1982 and 13,246 in 1991...
  
   Cocktail
• Royal Bermuda Cocktail
• Corn N' Oil
  Corn N' Oil
  A Corn N' Oil is an alcoholic highball style cocktail most noted for its use of the very dark and oil-like blackstrap rum. While the origins of its name are largely unknown, it is making a resurgence in modern cocktail culture.- Variations :...
  
  
• some Rum Collins variations
• White Lion
• Zombie
• Ranglum

Fee Brothers produces a nonalcoholic version, and John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum is an alcoholic version available in the United States.