Two feet of snow and more predicted? How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant’s Companion (1862) by Jerry Thomas once again provides a welcome reward for shoveling. This time, I made it up to recipe number 200, Black Stripe. This cocktail combines rum and molasses – two stages of sugar refinement, so they are perfectly matched. The cocktail’s name may come from the two-layer effect when molasses sinks to the bottom of the glass of rum. The winter version calls for hot water and nutmeg. In the summer, add a tablespoon of water and fill the glass with shaved ice. I could have conflated the seasons and reached out the door for a spoonful of snow to use as shaved ice, but it was far more satisfying to start the teakettle.
Black Stripe cocktail (1862)
Serves 1
1 wine glass (1/4 cup) Santa Cruz (light) rum
1 tablespoon molasses
Grated nutmeg, to taste
Pour the rum and molasses into a tumbler. Fill up the tumbler with boiling water. Grate a little nutmeg on top.
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