How did pirates drink rum straight?

Of course, sailors and pirates didn't just drink rum straight. To make it more palatable, they would mix it with a bit of water to make grog; or water, sugar, and nutmeg (to make bumbo). Today, consumers tend to prefer mojitos and Mai Tais.

Why did pirates drink rum instead of water?

A gallon of beer was the original rationed drink for sailors, but it too could spoil easily at sea. Around 1655, many ships switched over to rum rations instead. It didn't rot inside barrels and also didn't take up as much room as beer, freeing precious space for cargo.

Is it true that pirates drank rum?

Yes. They did. Pirates often started out as military sailors, who developed a taste for rum when it was distributed in the Navy. The Caribbean was a hotbed of piracy and instead of having to wait for their daily tot of rum from their superiors, pirates could drink it whenever they pleased.

How strong was the rum that pirates drank?

It was “cask strength,” 120 to 130 proof. The half pint was distributed in two parts in a day, a quarter-pint at a time. It was watered down at a ratio of three to one, three parts water to one part rum.

Why did pirates drink rum instead of whiskey?

Judging from songs and stories from the Golden Age of Piracy, rum was the drink of the common man, and whiskey the drink of the well-to-do. Part of this, of course, was because rum (which was manufactured in the Caribbean) was easier and cheaper to get.

Why Pirates Drank Rum | The Pirates Port

What rum is closest to what pirates drank?

For the most part, pirates would drink whatever they got their hands on. Usually, this meant unrefined, dark, high-alcohol-content strong rum. When you Google this question, you'll find the top answer to be grog, or rum grog. Rum grog was a mixture of rum, sugar, lime or another citrus, and water.

How did sailors survive on rum?

In 1740, Admiral Edward Vernon introduced a mixture of one part rum to four parts water, flavoured with lemon juice and brown sugar. The lemon would have provided some much-needed vitamin C to stave off scurvy.

Why did pirates love rum so much?

Rum Was Plentiful

Rum, which was distilled from sugar, became a primary export. As a result, many of the ships on the waters that pirates attacked were filled with it. Crews tended to drink much of the liquid loot they found. However, rum was also used as a currency and often traded for goods.

Why did pirates like rum so much?

Rum, distilled from sugar, however, was cheaper to transport and so became a staple export. This meant that many of the ships attacked by pirates were laden with barrels of rum, ripe for the taking. They could be sold for a pretty price, but pirates tended to drink a fair chunk of this kind of loot.

What proof was pirate rum?

Rare Prohibition Rum - Everett Distilling Co. Old Pirate Rum 17 Years Old Distilled 1913, Bottled 1931 100 Proof, 1 Pint.

What was Jack Sparrow's favorite drink?

Rum was the preferred alcoholic drink of pirates, particularly favored by Captain Jack Sparrow.

Was Jack Sparrow an alcoholic?

Captain Jack Sparrow is the most famous alcoholic antihero of the seven seas.

What did sailors drink before rum?

A Brief History of the Rum Ration

A gallon of beer was the original rationed drink for sailors, but it too could spoil easily at sea. Around 1655, many ships switched over to rum rations instead. It didn't rot inside barrels and also didn't take up as much room as beer, freeing precious space for cargo.

What did pirates drunk?

According to most accounts, the principal beverage that pirates drank was rum, although ale (beer) was also served on most pirate ships. Ale was usually only available on shorter journeys or at the beginning of a long adventure because it would turn bad over time.

Were pirates always drunk?

While not every pirate was a drinker and party animal, the majority enjoyed drinking whatever alcohol might be available. From beer to brandy, pirates loved to have a good time, especially when they were at port in their off-time.

Why did pirates not drink water?

During the Golden Age of Piracy, it was very difficult to find fresh and clean drinking water, even on dry land. For pirates on the open sea, it was almost impossible to transport and maintain an adequate supply of fresh drinking water onboard. Because of this, many seamen drank grog, beer or ale as opposed to water.

How did pirates stay hydrated?

Stagnant drinking water

Water, rum, and lime was the pirate's well-known drink of choice. The navy also used this drink for their sailors, so the sailors would stay hydrated, and this was rationed to them only two times a day, but the pirates drank their drink of choice anytime they wanted.

Did rum prevent scurvy?

Rum had one other advantage. It mixed well with the daily dose of lime juice that was doled out to British sailors to prevent scurvy. Although that practice did not start until the 18th century, well after the adoption of the daily rum ration, it provided an additional reason to continue the practice.

How much was a tot of rum in the navy?

How much rum did sailors drink? From around 1655, a pint of rum was the usual ration handed to each sailor in the Royal Navy. It was served every day, half at 12 noon and the second half at about 5 or 6pm (though the amount decreased in following years). The rum ration was known as 'Pusser's Rum'.

How big was a tot of rum?

The rum ration, or "tot", from 1850 to 1970 consisted of one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6% ABV), given out at midday.

What did sailors call rum diluted with water?

Grog is a term used for a variety of alcoholic beverages. The word originally referred to rum diluted with water (and later on long sea voyages, also added the juice of limes or lemons), which British Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon introduced into the naval squadron he commanded in the West Indies on 21 August 1740.

What is a female pirate called?

1 Answer. The term pirate, or more appropriately, privateer, is gender neutral.

How do you drink rum like a pirate?

How do you say hello to a pirate?

Ahoy – A pirate greeting or a way to get someone's attention, similar to “Hello” or “hey!”. Arrr, Arrgh, Yarr, Gar – Pirates slang used to emphasize a point.