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I'm about to concoct a batch of Falernum (spiced ginger & lime syrup for adding to coctails), and one of the possible ingredients is almond extract which I've just found out is in rapeseed oil.

I bought a Madagascan vanilla extract at the same time, which is in ethanol so can be just thrown into the mix. I assumed the almond extract was the same, but have discovered post-purchase that it isn't.

So in order to use the almond extract, I need to emulsify it, ideally with everyday ingredients that won't negatively impact on the flavour of the Falernum.

Googling seems to indicate that eggs (both yolk and white) will do the job; but I'm slightly reluctant to use eggs as I don't know how much is required and if it will affect the flavour.

There is about 36g of oil to emulsify altogether.

Can anyone advise on (A) a different emulsufier or (B) how much egg yolk/white/both would be required?

Toby Wilson
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  • Mustard powder is also an emulsifier, but probably with stronger (and less well-suited) flavor... – Erica May 02 '15 at 17:29
  • In the recipe you describe (all water and alcohol based) you'll be much better off with alcohol-based almond extract, which is often available. If you emulsify oil in whole eggs, you'll end up with something like mayonnaise. Egg whites might work; this might be fine if you're making something like a [pisco sour](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisco_Sour), which contains egg whites. What's the target drink? – hoc_age May 02 '15 at 18:11
  • @hoc_age Egg whites would have less flavor, but most of the emulsifying power of eggs is in the yolks. – SourDoh May 02 '15 at 19:39
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    I've never actually seen an oil-based extract and I'd assumed (possibly incorrectly) that part of the definition of "extract" is that it's an alcohol-based solution... I have almond **oil** (and anise oil, peppermint oil, etc), which is extremely concentrated and you use only a drop or two instead of a tsp, but that's a different product, entirely. – Catija May 02 '15 at 20:03
  • I second that @Catija I too have never heard of the product, just the concentrate. – Chef_Code May 02 '15 at 21:08
  • @Catija I have seen "alcohol free extracts" which are oil based (usually at health food stores). They're generally the flavor oil diluted in a neutral carrier oil. It's technically incorrect, but they do label stuff that way. – SourDoh May 02 '15 at 22:17

2 Answers2

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I think you will have much better luck if you just wait to get an appropriate almond extract. Aside from the difficulty of mixing an oil based flavoring, you'll run into texture issues if you do get it mixed. Generally an emulsion will be thicker than the component liquids. Further, the flavor probably won't be what you want. If you're creating a water or alcohol based solution, an alcohol based extract will flavor it better. Oil based extracts are generally better for things with a higher fat content for the flavor to disperse into, ie: even if you get the oil emulsified, you won't have an almond flavored liquid, you'll basically have almond flavored droplets suspended in another liquid.

If you really want to go ahead, I'd recommend lecithin and/or a hydrocolloid like guar gum. Both will result in the end product being more viscous though.

SourDoh
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  • Went for an egg yolk in the end, there should be enough sugar and alcohol in the product to adequately preserve it for it's lifespan. Won't use an almond extract at all next time as it's too strong and has given the whole thing an unwanted amaretto flavour! – Toby Wilson May 09 '15 at 23:29
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I have some suggestions for alternative emulsifiers, and a concern to express using eggs given the intended purpose of your syrup.

Alternative Emulsifiers

As to how "every-day" these are, it will depend on where you are in the UK. I can find these easily in the states at places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc in the bulk spice/flour aisle. Lecithin by itself is a lovely emulsifier, and usually readily available in candy/cake decorating shops. Here are two more:

  1. Gum Arabic

Bartenders have been making a "gomme syrup" as the simple syrup base for classic cocktails for many-many years. The gum arabic provides a really silky-velvety mouthfeel without being too viscous. It is a 1:3:6 parts gum:water:sugar ratio. Recipe Ex: 1 gram gum arabic, 3 grams water, 6 grams sugar(fun twist...try using invert sugar, honey, or malt extract for extra flavor depth). The sugar and water will be heated together until they have dissolved, followed by the addition of the gum, and vigorous stirring. Hydrating part of the gum in a bit of your water allotment overnight prior to making gomme syrup is very helpful. You can choose to add the ginger/lime/alcohol based flavorings at the end of this step, or while the emulsion is being created.

After making your gomme syrup, create your emulsion by adding the almond oil to the syrup slowly while you blend with an immersion blender (or some other high speed mixing device). If you have any other flavorings to incorporate, add them at this step.

  1. Xanthan/Guar/Agar-Agar

These are all thermoreversible hydrocolloid gelling agents that when hydrated will help provide emulsifying power for you. Guar gum, particularly, does better if it has had 3+ hours to hydrate before you heat it...from personal experience. Amounts of these will vary, but there are some really great synergistic benefits you get from combining xanthan and guar gums(increased holding power, etc). Experimentation will give you the best final ratios.

Note on Eggs for Cocktail Syrup Use

I love eggs in cocktails. Most of the experience I've had with their addition is usually at the time of the drink preparation, specifically for its immediate service. Yahtzee.

However, making a cocktail syrup that you will be keeping around for a while with raw eggs gives me pause in this case. Unless you have a way to pasteurize the eggs or the final mixture, you may wind up harboring a rancid mess with quickness.

Little White Lithe
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