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Ingredient Shopping Links
Use the links below to purchase (from Amazon or other third-party vendors) some of the same ingredients used in the Elemental Mixology classroom. If you purchase any of these items, know that you are not purchasing from Elemental Mixology. These links are provided as a courtesy to the many students and friends of Elemental Mixology.
Scho-Ka-Kola
This must be dealt with first. Scho-Ka-Kola can be a real friend to the bar-tender or waiter or cook that must work a shift without having gotten enough sleep the night before. It contains chocolate, caffeine and kola nut. This triple-stimulant has also helped students in the classroom. It is also a valuable emergency kit addition. This stuff comes from Germany and buying in bulk is the only way to keep the price reasonable. The kola nut flavor is more noticeable in the milk-chocolate version ('vollmilch'). Some people prefer to taste the kola nut and some do not.
Old-fashioned Lump Sugar
If one must make the Whiskey Cocktail according to old-fashioned method, or when one wants to make old-fashioned sherbet sugar for an authentic Lemon Drop Shooter, there is no substitute for old-fashioned lump sugar. Don't even bother with a modern sugar cube! Here is but one acceptable brand.
Old-fashioned Lump Sugar
If one must make the Whiskey Cocktail according to old-fashioned method, or when one wants to make old-fashioned sherbet sugar for an authentic Lemon Drop Shooter, there is no substitute for old-fashioned lump sugar. Don't even bother with a modern sugar cube! Here is but one acceptable brand.
Sugar Cane Syrup
This expensive syrup is made of cane nectar, without having been cooked into treacle (English for 'molasses'). Though it is not cheap, it makes a wonderful Petit Punch De Luxe! It has much other mixological potential, too.
Golden Syrup
This syrup, which is essentially an ultra-light treacle (English for 'molasses'), is nothing short of transformative. It is joyful in drinks and just about anything else in which, or upon which, a golden sort of sweetness is desired. It is especially nice served on the side of some Bourbon whiskey as the Bourbon and Gold.
Swedish Punch Syrup
This syrup is a starter ingredient for Swedish punch. It is made of Batavia arrack extract, sugar, water and spices. One is meant to add vodka and lemon juice to it to make Swedish Punch. Adding only vodka to this syrup will make a very good Swedish Punch liqueur, also an historic starter for making Swedish Punch. This syrup will excellently suffice for either of the above functions, but also as an exotic syrup in its own right.
Lemon Syrup
Lemon syrup that is made with natural ingredients and better than what can be home-made is rare, and not found on shelves next to other syrups by the same manufacturer. This particular syrup is just a little too expensive to be stocked in stores. But, with a lemon syrup this good, that famous French drink, Amer-Biere, can be enjoyed as if one were sitting in Alsace.
Passion Fruit Syrup
It's not cheap, but this syrup has always best satisfied all tasters. Don't bother attempting the Hurricane Fix with a cheap passion fruit syrup.
Yuzu Juice
First-pressing yuzu juice is dearly expensive, but is delicious as the sour element in such drinks as the Chef's Sour. Beware of poor quality yuzu juice!
Apple Butter
It is surprising how difficult it is to find rich-tasting, appley apple butter that isn't just sour-sweet mush. This one will do to make classic English fancy sherbet for a superiror Brandy Punch. It is also wonderful on toasted bread or a bagel.
Guava Jam
Guava jam is used to make the famous West Indian punch sherbet, and the West Indian tea punch sherbet, of the nineteenth century. Whether making punch by the bowl or by the single tumbler-full, using West Indian sherbet as the basis will improve it in a way most modern drinkers have never expereienced.
Loganberry Jam
Lognaberry jam is used to make sherbet for Portland Punch, the once-classic Oregon drink that was nearly lost to time.
Guarana Pop
For the contemporary Brazilian Highball, one needs Tennessee whiskey and guarana pop. This soft drink is to Brazil what Coca-Cola is to the USA.
Marasche (Marasca Cherries)
Nevermind that these aren't true maraschino cherries. Such cannot be purchased, anywhere. But, these are the best commercially-produced garnishing cherries. This price is only a little better than buying them separately, but every bit of savings helps.
Mace
Mace is the aril of nutmeg and the only part of the fruit that evolved to be so tempting to mammals that they would swallow the seed. Adding mace to nutmeg completes the nutmeg and heightens its delightfulness. Add this to the top of any drink calling for nutmeg.
Orange Blossom Water
Nothing can replace the now-gone A. Monteux orange blossom water. Requiescat In Pace! The New Orleans Fizz has not been the same since its disappearance. This brand will do, however, and is perhaps the best replacement.
True Cinnamon from Ceylon
No good cinnamon syrup is commercially produced. But, with some Ceylon cinnamon, cassia bark, cassia buds, water and sugar one can make an exquisite cinnamon syrup for such drinks and the Famous Pisco Punch, Famous Rum Punch and the Whiskey and Cinn.
Cassia Buds
No good cinnamon syrup is commercially produced. But, with some Ceylon cinnamon, cassia bark, cassia buds, water and sugar one can make an exquisite cinnamon syrup for such drinks and the Famous Pisco Punch, Famous Rum Punch and the Whiskey and Cinn.
Peach Kernels
Nothing alleged to be peach bitters can be purchased in traditional quality from any commercial producer. Anyone wanting to make authentic peach bitters from scratch will need peach kernels and cinchona bark.
Cinchona Bark
Nothing alleged to be peach bitters can be purchased in traditional quality from any commercial producer. Anyone wanting to make authentic peach bitters from scratch will need peach kernels and cinchona bark.
Bitter Almonds
Anyone wanting to make authentic orgeat syrup from scratch will need bitter almonds.
Almond Milk
Anyone wanting to make authentic orgeat syrup, but using the short-cut method will need a good almond milk that is unsweetened. It should also be free of preservatives and thickening agents.
Food Colorant (naturally derived)
This is the same brand used in the classroom on the rare occasions coloring is called for.
Bar Peanuts
Every bar in America, no matter how pretentious, should have peanuts or popcorn out on the bar, free for drinking patrons. This brand was once very common, but is now a special order item for those stuck in the hipster districts of Oregon and Washington.