The Love of Rum and the Legendary Pirate
Pirate lore is rife with tales of both pillaging plunder and celebrating in their own unique style. The legendary pirate was no exception and there is one tipple that’s been around since the start…rum. While there’s certainly no definitive answer to what their favorite drink was, it’s safe to say that rum was the beverage of choice among pirates both in reality and the imagination.
When it comes to the legendary pirate, there are many to choose from throughout history. Perhaps one of the most notorious is the Caribbean-based Edward Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard. He was known for his fearsome demeanor and ruthless activities, and he also had a fondness for rum.
In fact, it was rum that enabled him to carry out his adventurous lifestyle. He is said to have taken over ships by consuming copious amounts of the spirit, so that he became too drunk to be able to defend the ship from attack.
The Realities of Rum Drinking Pirates
It’s not just the legendary pirate’s relationship to rum that makes it such a popular beverage. Pirates were both navy personnel in the past and sailors, meaning they were in close proximity to rum and that it was plentiful on board ships.
In its pure form, rum was considered to be a healing remedy for all manner of sea sickness, injury and other ailments. Rum was even recommended by the navy as part of a sailor’s rations in the 18th century.
Unlike beer, which can quickly go bad in the presence of salt water, rum was considered to be a much more efficient and longer lasting alcoholic beverage option. As such, it’s no surprise that it became the liquid of choice for many pirates, as well as regular sailors.
In addition, the alcohol content in rum is traditionally much higher than that of other liquors. One possible explanation for this may be that a higher proof of rum could blood thin the body and reduce the chances of scurvy.
The Rum Cocktails Popular Amongst Pirates
Not only was rum the beverage of choice among pirates and sailors, they also enjoyed mixing it with other common ingredients to make refreshing and tasty cocktails. A popular depiction of the pirate’s tipple can often be found in the ‘Grog’.
Grog is a mixture of rum and citrus fruit juice, usually lemons or limes. This cocktail was highly favoured among the Caribbean groggers and it was not uncommon for it to be served over ice with a splash of sugar to sweeten it.
Another traditional tipple favoured by pirates was known as the ‘Rum Runner’. This consists of white and dark rum blended together with a variety of syrups and fruit juices, as well as spices. This complex cocktail was said to be made in some of the most notorious pirate ports with ingredients such as rum, sugarcane, pineapple juice, and lime juice.
Rum in Modern Pirate Culture
Nowadays, rum still holds a strong presence in pirate culture, with many pirate-themed bars and festivals casting a rousing cheer over the spirit.
There are even special rum tasting events that are now held on many pirate cruises. This is a great way to savour the unique tastes found in different rums and enjoy the shared history between pirates and rum.
From the fearsome and pernicious Blackbeard to modern-day revelers, rum has played an integral role in pirate culture and has always been the tipple of choice. The historians are still converging on exactly what the legendary pirate’s favorite tipple was, but all evidence points to good old rum.
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