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All cocktails Negus (Hot)

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Negus (Hot)

Autumn/fall · Classic/vintage · Hot Drinks

3.9 23 ratings

Ingredients

1 2/3 oz Ruby port
1/3 oz Lemon juice
1/4 oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2:1)
3 1/2 oz Boiling water

How to make

Serve in a toddy glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-heat a TODDY GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of grated nutmeg (and optional cinnamon stick).

Method

  1. 3 Place bar spoon in pre-warmed glass.
  2. 4 POUR all ingredients into glass.
  3. 5 Briefly STIR.

Garnish

  1. 6 Dust with grated nutmeg (and optionally garnish with cinnamon stick).

Flavour profile

4.3% alc./vol. · 0.5 standard drinks · 106 calories

History

A classic winter cocktail, warming with rich ruby port and fresh citrus lemon.

This warm, mulled-wine-like cocktail was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and is named after its creator, Colonel Francis Negus (1670-1732). Negus was an English army officer who represented Ipswich, England, in Parliament from 1717 to 1732. Legend has it that he devised his namesake drink during a heated political debate fueled by wine, intending to lessen the wine's potency, and perhaps the intensity of the discussion. In Charles Dickens's 1843 novel A Christmas Carol, the Negus is mentioned. Additionally, Isabella Mary Beeton's 1861 publication, Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, features a Negus recipe along with practical advice: "As this beverage is more usually drink at children's parties than at any other, the wine need not be very old or expensive for the purpose. A new fruity wine answering very well for it." For those planning such an event, she suggests to "Allow 1 pint of wine, with the other ingredients in proportion, for a party of 9 or 10 children." Such an offering would surely be more memorable than a clown or a bouncy castle! More dancing, forfeits, cake, negus, cold roast, cold boiled, mince-pies, and ample beer were all part of the festivities. TO MAKE NEGUS. INGREDIENTS. – To every pint of port wine allow 1 quart of boiling water, ¼ lb. of sugar, 1 lemon, grated nutmeg to taste. Mode. – As this beverage is more usually drink at children's parties than at any other, the wine need not be very old or expensive for the purpose. A new fruity wine answering very well for it. The wine should be placed in a jug. Rub sugar lumps (equivalent to 1/4 lb.) over the lemon rind until the yellow part of the skin is fully absorbed, then squeeze out the juice and strain it. Combine the sugar and lemon juice with the port wine. Add the grated nutmeg, and pour in the boiling water. Cover the jug. Once the beverage has cooled slightly, it is ready to serve. While Negus is most commonly prepared with port, it can also be made with sherry or other sweet white wines. Sufficient. – Allow 1 pint of wine, with the other ingredients in proportion, for a party of 9 or 10 children.