Once the solitary domain of pirates and sailors, grog is thankfully open to the rest of us law-abiding, land-loving folk. And in the interest of discovering additional uses for a new Christmas Crock-Pot, I've been looking for a warming drink -- particularly in light of Friday's expected temperature of -15. That kind of weather calls for the home bar to be liberally employed.
Grog is typically some mix of rum and hot water. Throw in a bit of citrus to prevent scurvy and you've got the makings of a fine heated drink.
You can steep it like a hot toddy or mulled cider, using brown sugar and cinnamon sticks as recommended in this drink recipe.
I had a version of this in a Brooklyn bar that made walking home a lot
warmer if substantially less steady. Apparently, grog is how to turn a
hipster bar into a cozy neighborhood joint.
You don't just have to use water -- this recipe for Boston Grog calls for Orange Pekoe tea. And like tea, it can be mixed and drunk within five minutes. As the tea steeps, you can combine the liquors and citrus.
What once was a potentially restorative drink on a cold night at sea can again warm you with spirits. And with grog you never have to worry about making a precise drink -- it's about using what you have on hand to keep Mother Nature at bay. So plug in your slow cooker, grab a few cinnamon springs and dust off that Cointreau.
[Image via Flickr: cindy funk]
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