CHAP. XXXVII.Of Cedrat Water.
TheFruit calledCedratby theFrenchis a Species of the Citron, called by BotanistsCitratum Florentinum,fructu Mucronato & recurvo,Cortice verrucoso Odoratissimo, Florentine Citron, with a pointed Fruit, which is recurved, and a warted sweet smelling Rind. This Fruit is in so great Esteem, that they have been sold atFlorencefor two Shillings each, and are often sent as Presents to the Courts of Princes. It is only found in Perfection, in the Plain betweenPisaandLeghorn; and tho’ the Trees which produce this Fruit have been transplanted into other Parts ofItaly, yet they are found to lose much of that excellent Taste with which they abound in those Parts.
Take the yellow Rinds of five Cedrats, a Gallon of fine Proof Spirit, and two Quarts of Water: Digest the whole twenty-four Hours in a Vessel close stoped; after which draw off one Gallon in Balneum Mariæ, and dulcify with fine Loaf Sugar.
This is esteemed the finest Cordial yet known; but as it is very difficult to procure the Fruit here, I shall give the Method of making this celebrated Cordial, with the Essence or essential Oil of the Cedrat, which is often imported fromItaly.
Take of the finest Loaf Sugar reduced to Powder a Quarter of a Pound, put into it a Glass Mortar, with one Hundred and twenty Drops of the Essence of Cedrat, rub them together with a Glass Pestle, put them into a Glass Alembic with a Gallon of fine Proof Spirits and a Quart of Water. Place the Alembic in Balneum Mariæ, and draw off one Gallon, or till the Faints begin to rise; and dulcify with fine Sugar.
You may make this Water without Distillation, by mixing the Essence with the Sugar, as before directed, and dissolving it in the Spirit and Water directed as above. But the Water will be foul and milky, and therefore you must filtrate it thro’ Paper, which will restore its Brightness and Transparency.
But whatever Method is used, you must be very careful that the Spirit been tirely freed from its essential Oil; and therefore if your Spirit be not very cleanly rectified, it will be adviseable to useFrenchBrandy, lest the fine Flavour so highly esteemed in this Cordial be destroyed by the Spirit.