The Founding Fathers Found Rum
The Founding Fathers Found Rum. Try a Fresh berry Mojito
Today is National Rum day. It celebrates a tincture that helped build America. When We think of rum, we usually envision fruity drinks on a tropical island. But, rum comes from all over the world. Archeologists and historians cite rum and sugar cane based liquors coming from Iran, Malay, Cyprus, Krakow, and even Sweden. Rumor has it that rum ended up in the Caribbean via Brazil. Sailors, navies and Pirates alike all share a passion for the sweet Spirit. And, it helped build America. The first American Rum distillery started in 1664 on Staten Island. And, Boston followed shortly there after. By the time the revolutionary war started, there were over 100 distilleries. Apparently, The Founding Fathers Found Rum to be a valuable asset medicinally and as a commodity. In Rhode Island, they made a strong rum that actually became a form of currency along with gold.
Sugar, molasses, and rum were in high demand. And, the Brits imposed steep taxes on its export from the colonies. Most people think tea was the big issue that started the revolutionary war. Well, rum was an even bigger money maker. And, it continued to cause problems throughout history. Hence, the reason we associate pirates and illegal activity with rum. This was further exacerbated by prohibition era rum running and bootlegging.
But, even the founding fathers found rum beneficial. While there were plenty potable water sources, one couldn’t trust their own water. Distilling and brewing offered a stable safe alternative. Sailors, townsfolk, and elites alike enjoyed a dram from time to time. It was the Puritans who complained and worked to ban alcohol, blaming the imbibers of sinning, even though Benjamin Rush, a physician (who also signed the Declaration of Independence) saw alcoholism as a mental illness, not a lifestyle choice.
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Despite the Puritans The Founding Fathers Found Rum invaluable
While rum was more of a catch-all descriptor, alcohol in general was part and parcel of Colonial life in America. many of the founding fathers drank a lot. We know Samuel Adams ran his father’s brewery for a time. John Adams started his day with a hard cider. Thomas Jefferson was found of European liqueurs, Madeira, and Champagne. John Hancock Supposedly smuggled wine. George Washington was known to throw big drinking parties with over 100 bottles of booze. And, Benjamin Franklin even wrote the “Drinkers dictionary” expounding on hundreds of ways to refer to getting drunk including Fuzl’d, Oxycrocium, Loaded his Cart, contending with Pharaoh, and Got on his little Hat.
Colonists would trade local produce and other local goods for molasses with Caribbean Island nations to make the rum. It served medicinal purposes as well as a “social Lubricant”. Some of the most consequential decisions of the founding fathers came on the heels of a couple tipples of rum. The Boston Tea Party for one. While rum wasn’t the only alcohol, it was a favorite. Hot buttered rum not only cured colds, but it got people through cold rough winters. And, parents gave their kids rum soaked cherries to ease sore throats like colonial cough drops. By the time of the revolutionary war, colonists produced almost 5 million gallons of rum per year, in addition to the close to 4 million gallons imported. Estimates say the average adult male drank as much as 3 pints per week. Caribbean versions were superior quality. But, the American version was half the price.
Let’s get tippled
So, what are you waiting for? If it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for you. No matter what time of day, a nice whistle wetter or pick me up enlivens the spirit. So, why not join in the fun? It’s good for body, mind, and spirit. The colonists had it rough, and it helped them through. And, if that isn’t enough, look at Caribbeans. Have you ever seen an unhappy person in the tropics drinking a rum cocktail? So, why not get pungey, priddy, or Pigeon eyed, raddled, ragged, or rais’d, perhaps even get too free with sir Richard? It’s time to celebrate National Rum day. Whether you drink a good quality rum straight or mixed ina lovely poolside cocktail, Molasses never tasted so good.
Cheers!
Blackberry Mojito
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 oz Rum (traditionally white. But, feel free to substitute)
- 4 each small to medium limes cut half or into wedges
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup sugar (preferably organic)
- 2 cups Soda water (club soda or sparkling, not tonic)
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
Instructions
- Muddle sugar and mint in a pitcher by pressing down with a muddling stick or wooden spoon. This crushes the mint and blends the flavor into the sugar. Squeeze the limes and toss them in. Continue to muddle. Add the rum and berries and stir. Then add the sparkling water and ice. Give a good stir to mix everything. Then pour into glasses and garnish with more lime wedges and mint.
- For a more dramatic effect dip the rim in mint sugar.