Created by George Mulholland, one chilly November afternoon at Bar Gros
Apple Brumble
Blow My Skull
Thomas Davey was the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, 1813-1819, as Tasmania was then known. By all accounts, mostly by his superiors, he was completely unqualified and thoroughly unfit for the role. As an officer in His Majesty’s Marine Forces he had taken part in the Battle of Trafalgar. It was likely, in his time in the Navy, that he acquired a passion for strong drink, mostly rum, and drink he did.
Catalan Rom Cremat
Originating on the Costa Brava, through the rum shipping trade with Cuba, it is what Catalan fishermen drunk in the morning to warm themselves up in the winter. That would do the trick.
Fish-House Punch
In 1732, 28 wealthy Quakers from Philadelphia leased land from the Lenni-Lenape tribe, on the banks of the Schuylkill River, just out of town. There they built a clubhouse, or ‘castle’ as they called it, then declared independence and seceded, announcing that they were now the Colony of Schuylkill with its own governor, council and sheriff.
French House Christmas Pudding Vodka
For many years, on and off, this ungodly preparation was shared down Dean Street, Soho between The Colony Room Club and The French House, made in the cellar of the latter where staff could give it a swizzle upon passing. After a while the odour would permeate out to the stairs and upwards bringing a early Yuletide hum to the bar.
Hot Ale Flip
Dating back to the American Colonists of the early 18th century, this was known as a sailor’s drink, made aboard the long voyage, heated with a red hot poker. If you have one to hand while sitting by the fire, this is still the preferred way to go. It will impart something special to the drink, though in the sailors’ case it may have been the taste of ship’s tar that the poker was there for.
Inverno Arancione
Inventive, unusual Italian-style mulled white wine from Alissa Diaz of Washington Italian restaurant Centrolina. A refreshing change, it hints at panettone, a speciality at Christmastide in Italy.
Swedish Glögg
God Jul!
Zombie Punch
The story goes that Donn Beach spontaneously created it as a hangover cure for one of his regulars heading for an important meeting. Asked a few days later if it had worked the gent replied: “I felt like the living dead, it made a zombie out of me.”