I’d written before about The 44 after being inspired by a March 2008 article about the drink in Saveur. But soon after we packed it up and moved back to Seattle, so I never actually completed the process and thus, had nothing to share with you. Shortly after Christmas – and after our liquor cabinet was depleted from the holiday festivities – I decided to embark on the rum-infusing journey once more and stocked up on the required ingredients.

Let’s take a little trip down “cordial” lane…

The 44 is a popular rum-infused beverage originally made in Madagascar. It gets its name from the process in which its made as well as the number of days it “brews.” In the Madagascan version an orange is pierced forty-four times to allow the juices to release, then forty-four coffee beans are shoved into the slits. The orange is then placed in white rum and set to rest for, you got it, forty-four days.

I decided to make the French version of this drink, called the Quarante Quatre, which calls for forty-four whole cloves in place of the coffee beans. Within days the color of the rum began to darken and the orange and cloves became more fragrant. We left the jar out on the counter to enjoy the changes in coloration and to every-now-and-then open the lid to smell the sweet aromas.

After patiently waiting for forty-four long days we opened the jar and poured ourselves a small cordial.

The Quarante Quatre
This recipe is so good I recommend doubling it, like we did.

1 liter white rum
1 Navel orange
44 whole cloves
44 teaspoons of sugar (optional)

Deeply pierce the orange with a paring knife 44 times. Stuff the cloves into the slits and skin of the orange. Place the orange in a large widemouthed jar (that has a tight seal) and add one liter of white rum. Add 44 teaspoons of sugar, seal and store in a cool dark place for 44 days.

Note: we opted for a non-sugar version and it is still very tasty!

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While salivating over the latest issue of Saveur (March 2008) I found a recipe for infused rum. In the article the author describes a popular cordial in Madagascar known as The 44. The instructions for creating this rum-infused concoction are advanced so pay careful attention (wink):

The 44 Cordial

Take a Navel orange and deeply pierce it with a paring knife 44 times.
Stuff 44 coffee beans into the slits.
Place the orange in a large widemouthed jar (that has a tight seal) and add one liter of white rum.
Add 44 teaspoons of sugar, seal and store in a cool dark place for – you got it – 44 days.

I think we can handle that!

I’m going to make the French version, called a Quarante-Quatre, which calls for 44 whole cloves instead of coffee beans. I have enough energy already.

I think a rum tasting party in 44 days is in order, don’t you? My new Polynesian shot glasses are ready.

I’ll keep you all posted…

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