I have ordered a much larger Quantity of Cinnamon than is common among Distillers, because when made in the Manner above directed, it is justly looked upon as one of the noblest Cordial Waters of the Shops; but when made in the common Way of two Pounds to twenty Gallons of Spirit, as some have ordered, is only an Imposition on the Buyer. Some also, to render the Goods cheaper, use equal Quantics of Cinnamon and Cassia Lignea; but by this means the Cordial is rendered much worse; and, therefore, if you desire a fine Cinnamon-water the above Recipe will answer your Intention: But if a cheaper Sort be desired you may lessen the Quantity of Cinnamon, and add Cassia Lignea in its stead. If you would dulcify your Cinnamon-water, take double refined Sugar, what Quantity you please, the general Proportion is, about two Pounds to a Gallon, and dissolve it in the Spirit after you have made it up Proof with clean Water. One general Caution is here necessary to be added; namely, that near the End of the Operation you carefully watch the Spirit as it runs into the Receiver, in order to prevent the Faints mixing with the Goods. This you may discover by often catching some of it, as it runs from the Worm in a Glass, and observing whether it is fine and transparent; for as soon as ever the Faints begin to rise, the Spirit will have an azure or bluish Cast. As soon therefore as you perceive this Alteration, change the Receiver immediately; for if you suffer the Faints to mix with your other Goods, the Value of the whole will be greatly lessened. With regard to the Faints, they are to be kept by themselves, and poured into the Still when a fresh Parcel of the same Goods is to be made.

It is also necessary to observe here, once for all, that the Distillers call all Goods made up Proof, double Goods; and those which are below Proof, single. This Observation will be alone sufficient to instruct the young Distiller, how he may at any Time turn his Proof or double Goods into single.

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.