Why did pirates drink rum instead of water?

So, why did pirates drink rum? In short, it was a valuable way to make water last longer and keep the crew in high spirits. While you may not need to make grog or prevent scurvy, you can think of the many long years of history as you enjoy our award-winning Pusser's Rum.

Why did pirates drink rum and not whiskey?

Why did pirates drink rum and not 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. licensed and taxed.

Did pirates drink watered down rum?

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).

Why do pirates have rum?

The water became dangerous to drink. Although when rum was added, they found the water became safer to drink. The fact that rum was so easy to obtain, pirates and sailors opted to use rum and ration out the clean water to stay hydrated.

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.

Why Pirates Drank Rum | The Pirates Port

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.

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'.

Why does Jack Sparrow love rum?

Rum was the preferred alcoholic drink of pirates, particularly favored by Captain Jack Sparrow. Drinking was one of the most popular of pirate pleasures. Like all pirates, Jack believed that "rum gets you through times of no money better than money gets you through times of no rum."

Did pirates really love 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.

What happens if you water down rum?

For those stiffer rums, “adding ice or a splash of water will mellow it out so the alcohol vapors don't overpower the subtle flavors,” says Vida. His rule of thumb: “I'd say 45 percent [ABV] or lower you should drink it neat, but anything above that you may enjoy more with dilution.”

Why did sailors drink beer instead of water?

The alcoholic properties could kill some dangerous microbes present in the water and could have acted as a sort of purifying agent. This might have also helped prolong the water's shelf life that was brought on board. All in all, for the sailors of this period distillates may have had the greater advantage over water.

What is watered down rum called?

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 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.

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.

Was Jack Sparrow an alcoholic?

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

Who was the kindest pirate in history?

Edward England is known today as one of the more humane pirate captains of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Were pirates drunk all the time?

Strong alcohols such as rum and brandy were often used on long voyages to disinfect stagnant water, and to sweeten the flavour. So you see; pirates were always drunk because even their water had alcohol in it.

What is Jack Sparrow's curse?

Right before the film's climactic battle with the pirates at Isla de Muerta, Sparrow swipes a cursed coin from the treasure chest, making himself immortal and capable of dueling Barbossa. He shoots his nemesis with the pistol he has carried for ten years just as Will breaks the curse, killing Barbossa.

What is Jack Sparrow's most famous quote?

1. “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.” Jack's deepest and most profound quote.

What is Jack Sparrow's catchphrase?

"Drink Up Me Hearties, Yo Ho!"

Viewers love watching Jack Sparrow in all his style, with each films' ending always having a scene dedicated to an awesome quote from the character. This was his most recurring one yet, being a common wording of pirates of old.

Why are sailors called pussers?

"Pusser" is Royal Navy slang for a purser, a ship's supply officer, now called a Logistics Officer.

Do the Navy still get rum?

Royal Navy sailors, however, love their customs and ceremonial rituals, so Black Tot Day was born … a final salute with a tot of rum which has since become a once-a-year tradition to commemorate the end of the historic daily tradition.

Why are sailors called Jack?

Round about the year 1700, landlubbers began calling sailors 'Jack tars': 'Jack' because Jack was already a popular name for a sailor; 'tars' because long-haired sailors were dipping their locks in tar to make a pigtail.