Atholl Brose
There are a number of variations in making
this drink which have been handed down over many generations.
The brew
is first recorded in 1475 when the Earl of Atholl was attempting to
capture Iain MacDonald, Lord of the Isles who was leading a rebellion
against the king.
Hearing that MacDonald drank from a small well, the
Earl ordered it to be filled with honey, whisky and oatmeal. MacDonald
stayed sampling the concoction and was captured!
Here is the traditional
Atholl Brose, from a recipe made public by the Duke of Atholl some years
ago.
Ingredients:
3 rounded tablespoons of medium oatmeal
2 tablespoons heather honey
Scotch whisky
Method:
The oatmeal is prepared by putting it into a basin and mixing with
cold water until the consistency is that of a thick paste. Leave for
half an hour Put through a fine strainer, pressing with a
wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Throw away the
oatmeal use the creamy liquor from the oatmeal for the brose.
Mix four dessert spoonfuls of pure honey and four sherry glassfuls
of the prepared oatmeal and stir well. (Purists insist on a silver
spoon for stirring!) Put into a quart bottle and fill with malt whisky
Shake before serving.
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