DIY Pimento Dram (AKA Allspice Liqueur)

Save money on a DIY bar with this Allspice Liqueur.

Wondering what to do with this unique liqueur? Scroll all the way to the bottom for my favorite cocktail suggestion!

Ingredients

• 1 cup light rum
• ¼ cup allspice berries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 cloves
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups water

Materials

• sealable jar
• mesh strainer
• implement to smash allspice berries (I use a hammer, most use a mortal and pestle)
• small pot
• whisk

Smash the Allspice Berries to increase surface area. If using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, do not grind to a powder as this will be more difficult to strain.

If you, like me, don't own a mortar and pestle (small kitchen, I don’t even own a microwave!) put them in a small bag, wrap them in a towel, and use a hammer to smash on a hard surface. This has the added benefit of preventing you from over grinding.

Break the cinnamon stick by hand (great strength training).

Pour rum into jar, add the smashed berries, cinnamon stick, and cloves.

Shake and let sit for 12 days, shaking daily.

After the spices have steeped in the liquor for 12 days, make a simple syrup with the brown sugar and water, by bringing water and sugar to a boil in the small pan.

Stir to dissolve while warming.

Remove from heat to cool.

Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the berries, cloves, and cinnamon from the rum.

Add the liquor to the cooled simple syrup.

Seal, shake, and let sit for two days.

This liqueur is wonderful in many cocktails. The warm flavors are perfect for winter. My favorite combination is a Lion's Tail cocktail adaptation:

1 part Pimento Dram

2 parts Bourbon

splash of bitters

lime juice

shake with ice and serve up