Rum was safer to drink than water Freshwater was an extremely difficult resource to obtain during the Golden Age of Piracy, on land, and certainly at sea. Water had to be stored in barrels and became stagnant during their voyages.
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 do sailors prefer rum?
Spirits like rum or brandy (which the sailors were served for a time) retained their good taste and didn’t spoil, so they might be the only tasty thing sailors got in a day.
Did pirates usually drink 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.
Why did pirates drink so much alcohol?
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 rum is closest to what pirates drank?
Think unadulterated, dark, pot stilled Jamaican, Haitian, Bajan, and Martinican rums. If they happened to take a British Royal Navy ship, then they got grog, which is rum mixed with sugar, lime, and water.
How did pirates survive on rum?
By watering rum down, it would take many more rations to become inebriated and the ration itself would spoil faster (thus preventing the stockpiling of liquor). Sailors received their ration of a half pint of rum mixed with a quart of water in two parts, before noon and at the end of the day.
Why do sea men drink rum?
Sailors were given a daily tot of rum from 1655 until the ration was abolished, as recently as 1970. Originally it was given to sailors neat when the beer ran out (water was not safe to drink as it became rancid very quickly at sea and it was often taken from polluted rivers, such as the Thames).
When did the navy stop giving rum?
The Day Rum Rations Ended
On July 31, 1970, now known as Black Tot Day, naval sailors enjoyed their last daily tot ration. Many wore black armbands and poured their ration into the sea as a symbolic “burial” of the much-loved tradition.
Why are sailors drunk?
Because they were. The Stereotypical ‘sailor’ has his origins in the British Royal Navy of the 1700–1800’s, and a quick investigation into their rations shows that they were drinking alcohol to a degree that would make them alcoholics today.
What do pirates call rum?
Pirate Speak – Drinking
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nelsons folly | Another name for Rum. |
| nipperkin | A small cup or drink. |
| rum | An intoxicating beverage, specifically an alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented molasses or sugar cane. |
| Scotch | A whiskey distilled from malted barley. So named because it originate in Scotland. |
How often did pirates drink rum?
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 does not prevent scurvy. The Royal Navy started the issue of citrus fruits and juices to prevent scurvy hence the nickname “Limeys” – limes.
Why is Jack Sparrow drunk?
Jack Sparrow’s signature “drunk” walk, which gives him the appearance of being constantly inebriated, is actually the result of Sparrow’s sea legs.
How strong is pirate rum?
The rum comes in a standard 700ml bottle and is bottled at 37.5% which puts it into the mixing category of rums such as Cockspur 5 star. I’ve yet to see a premium sipping rum at less than 40% ABV. For my purposes I don’t really think a ABV difference of 2.5% really makes a great deal of difference.
Why is rum good for you?
The consumption of rum is often recommended for lowering cholesterol levels and managing diabetes. As per studies, in addition to having medicinal characteristics, it maintains low blood sugar levels in the body, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
Who has the best rum in the world?
The top rum in the world was the Worthy Park Estate, White Overproof Rum, 63.5% ABV. The Jamaican rum is a blend of three pot still distilled rums. It offers up tropical fruit notes of banana, mango and other exotic fruits, twinned with the pronounced grassy and vegetal notes typically described as Jamaican funk.
What is Jack Sparrow’s favorite rum?
Black Pearl Rum
Sparrow’s obsession with his beloved ship, the Black Pearl, is one of his defining traits. So, it’s no surprise that he’d reach for a rum that reminds him of his vessel. Black Pearl is an American silver rum made from molasses sourced in New Orleans.
What do pirates call beer?
Because of this, many seamen drank grog, beer or ale as opposed to water. Fresh water on board would often become tainted by green scum and slime, so a small amount of alcohol was often added in order to improve the bad taste of old water. This water and alcohol combination is better known as grog.
Why do pirates have parrots?
Although there are no accounts of pirates having pet parrots, there was a trade in animals from all around the world throughout the age of piracy. A colorful talking bird would have been expensive, so pirates probably stole them along with other valuable cargo.
How do you drink rum like a pirate?
Yell “PIRATE PUNCH!” Start with a tall glass fill with ice, pour all at once (Light Rum, Dark Rum, Coconut Rum, & 151), then together splash (Blue Caracao, Sour Apple, & Peach), next add OJ and 7up/Sprite, garnish with 2 squeezed lime wedges.