"RONNYVOUS WHISKEY"

    One of the favorite pass times of the Mountainman was the Rondezvous.  While at the Ronnyvous, they were known to get rip roarin', snot slingin' DRUNK!! The Traders would bring with them grain spirits, colored and flavored to look like drinkin' whiskey.  It was raw spirits, and had to be watered down.  The cost was nearly $50 for a small keg.  They would buy it by the keg, or by the "pot".. a cast iron pot of a specific size... and spend the evening with their friends, sharing their whiskey, telling stories, and just forgetting.

     Be cautious, and remember... the Mountain Men of the 1840's had iron-bellies... from years of living on the land and fending for themselves. This recipe is real, and should not be considered "tame" like many of the alcoholic beverage recipes we know today. These were hardy men who drank little during their time in the mountains, and made up for it at Ronnyvous. It was the "Shinin' Times..."
 



(NOTE: There has been a bit of agrument lately regarding whether or not this was an actual receipe, and if the Traders sold just grain spirits.  Some say that they would not have sold this mixture. It is known that they did water down the spirits to make it stretch futher at Ronnyvous.  You be the judge.)

The following recipe dates back to the 1840's and before. Use CAUTION! It's highly alcoholic, and rather potent, too!

        Approx. 12 oz. of Everclear Grain Spirits (190 proof)

Put all the ingredients in a glass or crock jug and let it sit in a warm spot for about 4 days. Strain through a piece of unbleached muslin into your favorite container. TRY THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, remembering that this is how the Mountainmen of old stayed warm on a cold night! (Ok, well...sometimes they might have had a squaw, too....<grin>)


 

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