About The American Grog
Ah Grog, is there anything so ingrained in pirate culture as you (and rum)? A quick history lesson on the Age of Exploration with this recipe; during this time period there was no electricity or seabound filtration techniques so things like beer and wine spoiled quickly on long voyages. Water would turn stale and grow algae and thus become undrinkable. British Admiral Edward Vernon ordered his crew to mix the rum reserves with his water supply to prevent it from spoiling and it worked! This would become the standard practice for sailors in the years to come. His nickname was “Old Grog” due to a Grogside Jacket he wore so the crew named the idea after him.
In this variant, we add a sugar cube and lemon juice because as it turns out; hot watered down rum tastes terrible. I would also recommend adding a few cloves for flavor. The end result is a warming cocktail with a lemon flavor and the sugar helps to soothe and cut the bite of the rum.
“Water, water, every where,/ Nor any drop to drink."
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” c. 1798
Ingredients:
1½ oz. Silver Rum
¾ oz. Lemon Juice
4 oz. Hot Water
1 Sugar Cube
Lemon Wedge (for Garnish)
Cloves (for Garnish)
Cocktail Profile
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: Hot
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Lemon
Method:
Put rum, lemon juice, and sugar cube in glass. Gently muddle sugar cube. Fill with hot water. Stir to dissolve sugar.
