Clairin steeped with bark, roots and spices, taken by the small glass. Haitian households infuse the raw cane spirit with medicinal barks such as bwa bandé and with anise and cinnamon, and the bottles are opened at New Year and for guests.
The base is a distilled spirit that cannot legally be made at home, and the barks are wild-gathered plants dosed by local knowledge — several used in these infusions are toxic in quantity.
What goes into it
- clairin — raw Haitian cane spirit
- medicinal barks and roots
- star anise, cinnamon, cloves
- sometimes honey or sugar
How it is made
Barks, roots and spices are packed into a bottle of clairin and left to steep for weeks or months, the spirit turning dark and bitter. The bottle is topped up with more clairin as it is drunk, so a household’s tranpe can be years old and never quite finished.
How long it takes: weeks to months of steeping, topped up thereafter
How it is eaten
In small glasses at New Year, offered to arriving guests, and taken for ailments.
History
Haitian households infuse clairin with medicinal barks such as bwa bande and with anise and cinnamon; bottles are opened at New Year and for guests.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tranpe?
Tranpe is a wine & spirit from Haiti: clairin steeped with bark, roots and spices, taken by the small glass. Haitian households infuse clairin with medicinal barks such as bwa bande and with anise and cinnamon; bottles are opened at New Year and for guests.
How is Tranpe made?
Barks, roots and spices are packed into a bottle of clairin and left to steep for weeks or months, the spirit turning dark and bitter. The bottle is topped up with more clairin as it is drunk, so a household’s tranpe can be years old and never quite finished. It takes weeks to months of steeping, topped up thereafter.
Can I make Tranpe at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. The base is a distilled spirit that cannot legally be made at home, and the barks are wild-gathered plants dosed by local knowledge — several used in these infusions are toxic in quantity.
What goes into Tranpe?
Clairin — raw Haitian cane spirit, medicinal barks and roots, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, sometimes honey or sugar.
How is Tranpe eaten?
In small glasses at New Year, offered to arriving guests, and taken for ailments.
