Fassionola

Fassionola, or Jonathan English's Brand Red Tropical Gold Fruit Mix, is a syrup that was used extensively in many tropical drinks beginning in the 1920s and is relatively unusual ingredient. It is produced and distributed by the Jonathan English Company, out of San Diego. It was long ago used as a fruit punch concentrate, and is called for use by several "Don the Beachcomber" and "Trader Vic" recipes, generally in the "Tiki" rum based drinks. [ref]http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=5331&forum=10)&start=15&PHPSESSID=381bb9a2ccbc8c96b622da4eed1b9fa9[/ref]

http://wiki.jonathanenglish.net/index.php?title=Fassionola_Red_Syrup_(Tropical_Gold_Fruit) describes it as follows:

"Fassionola Red Syrup (Tropical Gold Fruit) From JE Wiki

Fassionola. The history of bar drinks and cocktails is full of interesting tidbits of information. Fassionola has a unique candy like flavor, combined with tropical fruit. It has been produced since 1914, one of the oldest bar mixes still in existence. It comes in Red, Green and Gold, each a different flavor, and are considered to be important ingredient in some Tahitian Tiki drinks. The first time I tried Fassionola Green it was used in a gigantic drink called a Volcano, which was served family style, with several 20 inch long straws stuck into this massive Rum and fruit creation. Though both words start with the letter F, do not confuse this product with Falernum, which is more similar to Orgeat Syrup. "

While once considered a "long lost" drink ingredient, The website(currently in Beta) seems to proclaim it is still being manufactured, although its presence seems oddly missing from verifiable sources.

The ingredients included:

• Corn Sweetener
• Water
• Orange Juice Concentrate
• Citric Acid
• Xanthan Gum

As well as preservatives and artificial colors and flavors.

In several places, notably Hawai'i: Tropical Rum Drinks & Cuisine (ISBN 1-56647-491-4), it is suggested to use "Fruit Punch" as a substitute. This is almost certainly an error; using a fruit punch concentrate (such as offered under the Hawaiian Punch brand) would be more appropriate given the original ingredient (a syrup) and its concentration (typically less than 2 ounces).