Homemade Bay Rum

[Michael]

I think I'm going to give this a try. Not sure I'll use it when I'm going to work, but if I smell like a bar on the weekends, I guess that's not so bad...:cool:
2-4 cups dried bay leaves
A few sprigs of dried rosemary (optional)
Rum (dark, Jamaican of course) to cover

Break the dried bay leaves in half. Fill a quart or pint mason jar with as many leaves as will fit to about 3 inches from the top. Add a few sprigs of dried rosemary, if desired. Add enough rum to come a good 2 inches above the leaves. Screw on the cover, and let set for 1 month; strain.

Variation: Add a bit of grated organic orange peel, cloves, and ginger root, as desired.
If it's no good as an A/S, don't see why I couldn't just drink it! ::

[Mottern Man]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

How did this leak to the public??????????????

[Michael]

Will, I take it you've already done this? If so, report please. Which of "my" ingredients did you use? Were there others? Does the scent last? Do you WANT it to last? How's the sting when you slap it on? How does it compare to the scent of, say, Master? And...DO you smell like a bar? :D

[Mottern Man]

Will, I take it you've already done this? If so, report please. Which of "my" ingredients did you use? Were there others? Does the scent last? Do you WANT it to last? How's the sting when you slap it on? How does it compare to the scent of, say, Master? And...DO you smell like a bar? :D

Have not used it................ YET!:rolleyes:

Every time I buy the rum I drink it.

Like now. :D

[sparky5693]

I'd recommend a little cinnamon, and even a hint of vanilla.

[sparky5693]

I'll add, when I made bay rum from a similar recipe, the burn was fairly intense, reminded me of the pinaud burn.

[Michael]

I'll add, when I made bay rum from a similar recipe, the burn was fairly intense, reminded me of the pinaud burn.

So I should use some of Ouch's (or was it Tony - I forget) battery acid to quell the burn? :eek:

[_JP_]

Hey gang - bay rum does not include a single drop of distilled rum. It's made from the oil of the Bay Rum tree (http://stjohnbeachguide.com/Culture/bay_rum.html).

But that should be an interesting scent that you're creating there! :pot

[sparky5693]

:confused:
Ah well. The batch I made smelled good, and was kinda fun to play with.

[moviemaniac]

Hey gang - bay rum does not include a single drop of distilled rum. It's made from the oil of the Bay Rum tree (http://stjohnbeachguide.com/Culture/bay_rum.html).

But that should be an interesting scent that you're creating there! :pot
nope, that's not correct. Bay rum is in fact rum with water, bay leaves or bay oil and sometimes other ingredients. The alcohol content has to derive from something and in the case of bay rum it's - rum. :)

[qhsdoitall]

Keep Posting. I'm making notes. I'm ordering a container Bay Leaf Tree to try a few recipes myself.

[Cat]

In my quest for the ultimate Bay Rum, I did a little research and this is what I found:
Bay Rum was a popular tonic and dressing for gentlemen's hair during the 19th and early 20th century. It was originally made by distilling bay (pimenta, not laurel) leaves in Jamiacan rum. Later the scent was replicated and bottled as an aftershave/cologne.
Here are several recipes from the period:

Bay Rum from "Henley's Formulas for Home and Workshop", 1907:
15 parts bay oil
1 part sweet orange oil
1 part allspice oil
This was the base mixture; if making a cologne, mix with:
1000 parts alcohol
750 parts distilled water

Bay Rum from "Dr. Goodenough's Home Cures and Herbal Remedies", 1904:
1/2 oz. oil of bay
1/2 oz. oil of cloves
1 oz. oil of red thyme
1 oz. oil of allspice
Mix. To make bay rum, add 1/4 oz. of this to 2 pints alcohol. Shake
thoroughly and add 2 pints water and 1 oz. carbonate of magnesia. Filter.

Another mixture:
1 oz. oil of bay
1 dram (60 drops) oil of cloves
1 dram oil of orange
30 drops oil of neroli (orange blossom)
30 drops oil of allspice
3 drops oil of cardamom
Prepare as above.

Hope this helps!
Cat

[rick]

Hey !!!
Cool, Cat ;)
Thanks for that info
and

WELCOME

[qhsdoitall]

Very informative CAT. Thank you very much. Now, if I can just track down some of those ingredients. Oil of Red Thyme? :D

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome to The Shave Den, Cat!

Good first post!

[madmedic]

I'll add, when I made bay rum from a similar recipe, the burn was fairly intense, reminded me of the pinaud burn.

Obviously....you didn't drink enough of the rum first!!

[madmedic]

Welcome Cat....loads more things for me to try!

[Cat]

Glad to help!
I should note a couple of things with these old recipes:
For the alcohol, try to find Everclear or Golden Grain brand ethyl (grain) alcohol at the liquor store. Don't use rubbing alcohol as it has a nasty odor!
Several online businesses carry "formulators alcohol", which is a denatured alcohol for use in perfuming. Since it's denatured it's legal to sell, which is something to consider if you want to resell your product.
Use only distilled or purified water in your recipes.
Finally to obtain a clear product, here's a little trick I learned: mix your essential oils with the alcohol. Slowly (almost drop by drop) add the water to this, stirring constantly.
This creates an emulsion, but if the oils and alcohol are mixed with the water too quickly, they will separate out.
These recipes make a large quantity but can be scaled down easily, if needed.
Good luck!
Cat