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All cocktails Corn 'n' Oil

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Corn 'n' Oil

Classic/vintage · Hall of Fame and must know/try · Spirit-forward

4.2 240 ratings

Ingredients

2 oz Aged rum (6-10yr)
1/2 oz Falernum liqueur
3 dash Aromatic bitters
1/3 oz Dark/black rum

How to make

Serve in a old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. 3 STIR first 3 ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 STRAIN into glass filled with crushed ice.
  3. 5 (Optionally: FLOAT dark rum on cocktail's surface.)

Garnish

  1. 6 Garnish with a lime wedge.

Flavour profile

27.6% alc./vol. · 1.7 standard drinks · 240 calories

History

This cocktail features rum, lightly sweetened and infused with the lime and clove notes of falernum. There is considerable discussion surrounding the Corn 'N' Oil, including the type of rum to use and whether brandy should be included. While dark "black strap" rum is often floated on top to create an oily appearance, this is not traditional in Barbados, the cocktail's home, although it does enhance its visual appeal. For an authentic preparation, a Bajan rum should be used, omitting the oily topping. There appears to be a general agreement that regardless of the rum or combination of spirits (including brandy), the base typically consists of a 60ml (2oz) measure mixed with 15ml (½oz) of falernum. Following this, a choice must be made between "red bitters" (like Angostura) or "green bitters" (absinthe), and the number of dashes. Finally, the ice can be either cubed or crushed. As with all cocktails, it is recommended to adjust the Corn 'N' Oil to your personal preference or that of your guests'.

The Corn 'n' Oil is a traditional Barbadian planter's drink that evolved into its current cocktail form over the twentieth century. The name 'Corn and Oil' is purportedly derived from the Book of Deuteronomy in the Christian Old Testament. Chapters 1–30 contain sermons delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they entered the Promised Land. A relevant verse is, "That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil." The cocktail's popularity was boosted by its inclusion on the back label of John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum, the top-selling brand of falernum: Corn 'N Oil 1/2oz Velvet Falernum 2 oz R.L. Seale's 10 year or Doorly's XO Barbados Rum Stir in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish with a lime slice.

Also known as Corning Oil