Giffard Gomme Syrup
Giffard Gomme Syrup is a non-alcoholic (0% ABV), 1L rich simple syrup from Giffard in Angers, France, thickened with gum arabic — the pre-Prohibition bartender's secret for cocktails with a visibly silkier, fuller texture than ordinary simple syrup can give. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 0% (non-alcoholic)
- Size: 1L
- Origin: Angers, Loire Valley, France
- Key ingredient: Gum arabic (acacia gum), the classic texture agent
- Sweetener: Sugar beet sugar
- Production: Flash pasteurized; no preservatives; gluten free
The Texture Ingredient
Nineteenth-century bartenders sweetened with gomme — syrup enriched with gum arabic, the natural sap of the acacia tree — because it does something plain sugar syrup cannot: it rounds citrus edges, carries flavour across the palate and gives shaken and stirred drinks a smooth, almost silky body. Giffard, making syrups in Angers since 1885, keeps the tradition for the professional trade. Shop the Giffard collection and the full mixers range.
Tasting Notes
Silky smooth texture with a hint of orange blossom (U.S. importer sell sheet) — its contribution to a drink is body and roundness first, sweetness second.
How to Enjoy
Swap it 1:1 for simple syrup anywhere texture matters: a Ramos Gin Fizz (where gomme is traditional), whiskey sours, daiquiris and punches — or a spoonful to give an Old Fashioned a glossier mouthfeel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gomme syrup? A rich sugar syrup thickened with gum arabic — a natural emulsifier from acacia sap. It sweetens like simple syrup but adds body and a silky texture to cocktails.
How is it different from plain simple syrup? Mouthfeel: gum arabic gives drinks a fuller, rounder, more luxurious texture and softens harsh citrus, which is why classic recipes from the 1800s specify gomme.
Is gomme syrup an orange blossom syrup? No — its flavour is essentially neutral-sweet with at most a faint blossom note; it is bought for texture, not for orange flavour.
What size is the bottle? 1L, made by Giffard in Angers, France.
Give your sours and fizzes the silky body the old books intended — pick up Giffard Gomme online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.