Three Water Grog

 

Introduced by Admiral Vernon in 1740 to reduce the incident of accidents by intoxicated seamen.  It replaced the straight sprit issue of one pint twice per day.

Said to be named after Admiral Vernon’s grogram coat.

 

The mixing of the grog took place at the beginning of the Naval day, noon.  Present: A quarterdeck officer, a representative of the fore-mast hands (usually a master’s mate), the surgeon to certify the constitution of the lime juice, the purser (or aboard Massachusetts ships the prize master) and a marine guard.

 

1 Serving

 

½          Cup of Rum (or other available sprits)                           

1           Teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

1 ½       Cups of water                                                                      

¼          Teaspoon finely pounded cochineal* (very optional)

2           Tablespoons lemon or lime juice    

2            Tablespoons sugar

  

*Dried bodies of female cochineal insects (related to mealy bugs) used as a food coloring to return the watered grog to it’s original color.

 

The above (without cochineal) is quite good and prevents rickets.

 

Fleet Grog Master

 

Taken from

Lobscouse & Spotted Dog, 

Anne Chatzinoff Grossman and Lisa Grossman Thomas,

W.W. Norton & Co., 1997.