[Sca-cooks] Grog was made from local and imported ingredients

[Terry Decker]

Think of it as modern Scandinavian usage, a single type of liquor cut with 
something non-alcoholic, spiced and served hot or cold.  The word and the 
original drink of rum and lime juice were apparently adopted from the 
British Navy by the Norwegian Navy where it came into general use and spices 
were added.  The word appears to have moved from the specific to the 
general.

Bear


----- Original Message ----- 

I am slightly puzzled as to why this is termed a "grog."

According to the OED, grog relates to " first as a personal nickname to 
Admiral Vernon, from the fact of his wearing a grogram cloak, and afterwards 
transferred to the mixture which he ordered to be served out instead of neat 
spirit. Vernon's order, dated Aug. 1740, is still extant. The statement that 
he wore a grogram cloak, and was thence nicknamed ‘Old Grog’, first appears 
explicitly in Grose Dict. Vulgar Tongue 1796, but derives some support from 
Trotter's allusion in a quotation from 1781."
In any case it's "A drink consisting of spirits (originally rum) and water. 
half and half grog, a drink made of equal parts of spirits and water."

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition defines it as "British naval drink; 
sugared rum mixed with hot water. Named after Admiral Vernon (early 18th 
century) whose nickname ‘Old Grog’ came from his grosgrain (heavy corded 
silk) coat."


So if grog is an 18th century term meaning a distilled neat spirit watered 
down with water, then why is this term being applied to this pre-Viking 
drink of "barley, honey, cranberries, herbs and even grape wine imported 
from Greece and Rome"?

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/what-was-grog-scientists-analyze-ancient-nordic-drink-2D11926342

http://www.penn.museum/press-releases/1031-patrick-mcgovern-nordic-grog.html

Johnnae