CHAP. II.
Of Clove Water.
Cloves, from whence this Water takes its Name, are the Fruit of a Tree growing in the Molucca Islands. The Figure of this Fruit is oblong, and not very thick, resembling in some measure, a Nail. The Surface of it is rough, and the Colour a dusky brown with an admixture of reddish. The whole Fruit is of an extremely fragrant Smell, and of an acrid, pungent, and very aromatic Taste. Cloves are to be chosen the largest, fairest, darkest coloured, the heaviest and most unctuous on the Surface, when pressed between the Fingers. Cloves are carminative, and good against all Distempers of the Head arising from cold Causes. They strengthen the Sight, and are good against Faintings, Palpitations of the Heart, and Crudities in the Stomach.
Recipe for fifteen Gallons of Clove Water.
Take of Cloves bruised four Pounds, Pimento or All-spice half a Pound, clean Proof of Spirit sixteen Gallons; let it digest twelve Hours in a gentle Heat, and then draw off fifteen Gallons with a pretty brisk Fire.
Or,
Take Winter’s Bark, four Pounds, Pimento six Ounces, Cloves one Pound and a Quarter; clean Proof Spirits sixteen Gallons: Digest, and draw off as before.
The Winter’s Bark, added in the second Recipe is the Bark of a large Tree, growing in several Parts of America, and has its name from its Discoverer Captain Winter. The outer Rind of it is of an uneven Surface, and of a loose Texture, very brittle, and easily powdered. The inner Part, in which the principal Virtue resides, is hard, and of a dusky reddish brown Colour. It is of an extremely fragrant and aromatic Smell, and of a sharp, pungent, and spicy Taste, much hotter than Cinnamon in the Mouth, and leaving in it a more lasting Flavour. It is to be chosen in Pieces not too large, having the inner or brown Part firm and sound, and of a very pungent Taste. It is apt to be worm-eaten; but in that Case it should be wholly rejected, as having lost the most essential Part of its Virtue.
If you desire to have your Clove Water red, it may be coloured either by a strong Tincture of Cochineal, Alkanet-root, or Corn-poppy-flowers. The first gives the most elegant Colour, but it is not often used on Account of its Dearness.
You may dulcify it to your Palate, by dissolving in it double refined Sugar. Some for Cheapness use a coarser Kind of Sugar; but this renders the Goods foul and unsightly. Some also, to save Expences, make what they call Clove Water, with Cloves and Caraway-seeds; the Proportion they generally use is half an Ounce of Cloves, and two Drams of Carraway-seeds to a Gallon of Spirit.