Stroopjenever (Treacle Gin) used to be the Zeeland's New Year's drink (often accompanied by thin sugar wafers). Ingredients: 25 gram / 0.88 oz of cinnamon sticks 1 liter of gin officially 500 gram / 17.63 oz of black treacle (British name) or black molasses (US name) (I usually use half of that - about 9 oz - else the result is too sweet for my taste) As for the gin I've found two which seem to come close to the Corenwijn (grain wine) which I always use. It doesn't taste as sharp as oude jenever (old gin). bathtub Old Tom gin by Professor Cornelius Ampleforth Branded sprits Ransom Old Tom Gin Corenwijn / grain wine has about the same production method (pot still) and about the same color. As for the black treacle/molasses I use 'De Zeeuwse Boerin' (The Zeeland Farmer's Wife), but any black treacle/molasses will do, I guess. Preparation: Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces and put them in a small kooking pot. Add just enough gin to cover the cinnamon. Put a lid on the pan and steep on a low heat for 30 minutes. Take the pan from the heat and add the rest of the gin. Leave it for a night with closed lid. Next day warm the treacle in a bain-marie until it is liquid. (large pot with cooking water with a smaller pot hanging in the steam) Strain the gin through a sieve and add the gin to the treacle. Discard the cinnamon (or use for something else?) Stir until the treacle and gin have mixed thoroughly. Let the drink cool down. Clean two bottles with boiling water and sodium carbonate and rinse well with boiling 'normal' water. Pour the cooled Treacle Gin in the bottles and store in a cool and dark spot for at least four weeks. Enjoy the Treacle Gin at room temperature in shot glasses (not only on New Year's Day...). Enjoy! Richard (Richgem) suggested to add a dab of chili pepper. Might be a good idea! The Minions like it as well!
A half kg of treacle would seem to be a lot...not a low cal drink for sure. Thanks for sharing your tradition with us!
Well... it's done and it's yummy! I went with 9 oz of standard (American) molasses. Light molasses might be worth trying next year or less ounce-age. Even at 9 oz, it's a bit sweet for my taste. I'd also use a bit more cinnamon for next year. And for the bonus round, a dose or two of your favorite hot sauce or chili oil (I used 2 squirts of Siracha) makes for a nice kick for the finish (and it helps cut the sweetness). Also, I used regular gin as I couldn't get the old Dutch kind. New Amsterdam was what I used as it seemed appropriate. Sadly, it's not made in NYC (the former New Amsterdam).
