How to Make Grog

Grog, just a step above beer, hydrating and packed full of vitamin C! Whether your aim is to get drunk, feel better when you’re sick, or just try a traditional drink of the sea, Grog is an excellent choice. How To Make Grog will show you how to make this historically delicious drink.

It is always easier to make a cocktail when you know what it is. Understanding the history of Grog is the best way to understand it's ingredients and preparation method.

In a time when boats were the primary means of travel, sailors had a problem. Salt water is not suitable for human consumption and fresh water brought aboard would grow algae before the voyage was complete. Rum was used as a replacement for the water rations initially. However, replacing the sailor’s water with rum resulted in sailors that were too intoxicated to do their jobs. It was clear rum was just too strong of a liquor to replace water rations. To solve the problem a navy caption got the idea to simply water down the rum. However, the sailor's found its taste a little lacking. They began adding flavorings such as citrus juice and honey. Grog became a god sent to the sailors. They believed the drink was just so good it made them healthier. Little did they know that it was the vitamin C in the citrus improving their health and not the Grog. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grog

Long history short you’ll need Rum, Water, and your choice of flavoring. The most commonly used flavorings are; lime or lemon juice, and sugar or honey. You can also try replacing the sugar with brown sugar or a cinnamon stick.

Note that "sour mix"", a bar tending ingredient composed of lemon and lime juice, is also an option to use in your Grog.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sour_mix This is what you will likely find in a bar's recipe for Grog.

Grog is a versatile drink that can be served hot, cold or as boat tradition has it at room temperature.

Hot Grog is thought to be sort of like a hot tottie or tea with an alcoholic kick. It can be great if you are sick.

Cold Grog can be enjoyed just about anytime and is similar to a good mug of beer, but eliminates that hops flavor.

Room temperature Grog doesn't really have any special appeal, unless you want to try authentic Grog.

To Make Hot Grog:

-Boil 8 ounces of water on your stove top.

-Pour 2 ounces of the Rum of your fancy and about 1/4 a cup of what ever citrus based juice you chose to use into a mug.

-Remove the water from the heat and allow to cool until only steaming. If you add boiling water straight to Rum you will lose a great deal of the alcohol content. Essentially you'd be cooking the alcohol out of the liquid.

-Add sugar or the sweetener of your choice to taste.

To Make Cold Grog:

-Mix 8 ounces of cold water with 2 ounces of rum that has been stored in a freezer. -Add 1/4 cup citrus juice.

As a tip you can mix your sugar into a small amount of warm water and then add that to the drink for easier mixing. The drink will still finish out cold.

To Make Room Temperature Grog:

Follow the instructions for cold Grog but allow the water to come to room temperature before mixing, and use rum that has not been placed in the freezer.