Since tomorrow is International Talk Like A Pirate Day, I thought it would be fun to serve up some cocktail recipes made famous by pirates! Now, I’ll be honest, pirates were not the nicest guys in the world to ever sail a boat, what with all of that pillaging and plundering! But they did know how to make a mean cocktail with liquor that they stole! And cocktails are something that I can always get “on board” with! (oh yeah, pun intended!) Honestly, I thought shrub cocktails were something made with herbs, but it turns out that’s NOT it at all!
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
Shrub cocktails are made from liquors that have been acidulated. What the HEY is that, you ask?! I’ll let master mixologist Matt Conway and our friends at Fix.com explain it all to ya! The story even includes a Spiked Punch recipe made famous by Martha Washington! Who knew the first-first lady was such a booze hound of a hostess?! Aahhh, the good ol’ days! Without further ado, here’s an article excerpt courtesy of Fix.com. To read the full story, click the link below.
A Guide to Shrub Cocktails
In need of a quick flavor fix for that next cocktail, punch bowl, or backyard drink for the kids? Then look no further! Shrubs are very versatile, easy-to-make, high-flavor additives that can be stored almost indefinitely. By now you’re probably asking yourself, “Why would I add a small wooded plant to my beverage?” We’re talking about a different type of shrub. There’s no need to take a trip to the Home Depot garden center.
What is a Shrub?
Shrubs are a type of acidulated beverage. Pretty cool $5 word, right? This just means that it is slightly acidic, but as far as your tongue is concerned, it means it’s slightly sour, tart, or tangy. Modern shrubs use a type of vinegar to achieve this flavor. Not a fan of sour beverages? Not to worry! Shrubs also come in sweet as well as savory varieties.
Where Did Shrubs Come From?
Pirates! Yes, pirates and smugglers are responsible for this delicious beverage. To avoid detection, they would sometimes sink their rum barrels in the ocean to avoid confiscation by privateers. Unfortunately, this rum would be tainted with seawater and was impossible to sell. The pirates would then add fruit to mask the salty taste and, behold, the shrub was born. The word gets its root from the Arabic word meaning “to drink.” As an added benefit, the salt water was acidic enough to keep the fruit in the mixture from spoiling. This allowed pirates to take barrels on longer voyages.
The New World
Next, enter vinegar. In 17th-century England, vinegars were used as an alternative to citrus juices in the making of preserves. This practice was carried over to colonial America, as citrus trees weren’t widely available stateside. Berries would be collected and bathed in vinegar for anywhere from a day up to a week. The berries would be drained and sealed for off-season eating while the liquid was kept and referred to as drinking vinegar. This drinking vinegar would then be added to water, soda water, or alcohol to make a tasty beverage that is tangy and surprisingly refreshing. This practice disappeared almost entirely once refrigeration became common in households. Juices no longer needed to be fortified in an acid to keep for long periods.
One of the most common uses of a shrub was for addition to a punch bowl. When George and Martha Washington would entertain guests, a large punch bowl (or several!) would be placed out for guests to serve themselves. Recipes would usually consist of a rum, whiskey, or brandy base, with a shrub added for flavor, and stretched with soda water or flat water for quantity. Martha was well known for her punch, which was served to visiting dignitaries. A popular recipe – extracted from a family book passed through the generations – had a base of cognac and white wine. The white wine would spoil and turn to vinegar over three days to provide the acid content.
Need other cocktail recipes? We’re always here to serve! Check out Drinks Are On The House! and 10 Inspired Thanksgiving Cocktails (cuz fall is almost here!).
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