4 It wasn’t hot, but the delicious drink spread through the British Empire, changing depending upon what was available. During the British occupation of the country in the 18 th century, the fermented juice was used to ‘water down’ expensive beer 3: expensive because at the time it was difficult to make in hot climates, and therefore had to be imported (this is before the invention of Indian pale ale, or IPA).īy 1820 the drink had evolved into a mixture of alcohol, sugar, ginger and lime. There was a Hindi drink known as taddy, which was made from slightly fermented palm sap since at least the early 17 th century. It turns out, however, to have its roots in the East, rather than the West, Indies, or rather the British Raj. Going by that quote, the drink looks like it has its origins in the West Indian plantations. It’s definition is I would say standard: ‘Spirit such as whisky with hot water, sugar, lemon and sometimes spices such as cloves.’ On the webpage is a quote from the 1788 book Grose Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue which states: ‘Toddy, originally the juice of the cocoa tree, and afterwards rum, water, sugar, and nutmeg.’ 2 Whenever I am researching the vintage of a recipe, I always visit The Foods of England website – even if the recipe is Welsh, Scots, or Irish. The trouble is, toddies were not created in Scotland, not were they hot, and nor were they laced with whisky. There is a popular myth that the drink was invented in the early 18 th century at Tod’s Well Tavern, Edinburgh, to warm up the very cold patrons 1, but I found that the hot toddy’s history is a little more complicated. I think of lemons and spices, and its warming effects on those who have just come in from the cold. What do you think of when imagine a toddy? I think of Scotland, whisky. Well I was recently gifted some and that’s why it is this year’s Christmas boozy drink post. My most hated alcoholic drink is whisky, but it is delicious in a hot toddy. Merry Christmas! I hope you are all able to have some fun in yet another strange Yuletide.Īt Christmas we often receive bottles of booze we don’t really like as gifts.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |