Modern drinkers, meet the spirited Colonial cocktails of America’s early days. From Cherry Bounce to Paul Revere’s Lantern, these historic cocktails were bold enough for Revolutionary War heroes and refined enough for Founding Fathers. Now, they offer Virginians a unique way to toast the past.
Cherry Bounce
From George Washington’s Mount Vernon
10–11 pounds fresh sour cherries, preferably Morello, or 3 (1-pound, 9-ounce) jars preserved Morello cherries
4 cups brandy
3 cups sugar, plus more as needed
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
2–3 whole cloves
1 (1/4-inch) piece fresh whole nutmeg
Pit and mash cherries, then strain to extract about 8 cups of juice. Reserve the mashed cherries for later. If using jarred cherries, drain and mash before adding their juice.
In a 1-gallon jar, combine the juice, brandy, and sugar. Refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
Simmer 2 cups of juice with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for 5 minutes, then cool and strain out the spices. Mix the spiced juice into the jar with the remaining juice.
Loosely cover and let rest for at least 2 weeks, shaking gently occasionally. Serve in small glasses at room temperature. Store in the refrigerator.
Makes about 3 quarts
Punch
From George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Juice of 5 limes
Water as needed
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
4 cups dark rum
2 cups French brandy
Mix lime juice with an equal amount of water in a 1-gallon jar. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Stir in rum and brandy. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
To serve, pour punch into a bowl with ice rings garnished with lime slices, if desired.
Makes about 2 quarts
Wicked Maiden
From Eight Shires Distillery
3 ½ ounces pineapple juice
3 ½ ounces orange juice
Coconut cream
1 ½ ounce 8 Shires Tavern Rum (Silver, Gold, or Spiced)
In a tall glass with ice, combine rum with pineapple and orange juice. Add a splash of coconut cream. Stir for consistency, or serve as-is to watch the ingredients mix naturally.
Paul Revere’s Lantern
From Eight Shires Distillery
3–4 ounces Madeira wine (or any dessert red wine)
1 ounce 8 Shires Bourbon or Rum
Sugar cubes
High-proof spirit (for lighting, optional)
By Land
Shake wine and bourbon with ice for 20 seconds. Strain over ice in a tall glass.
By Sea
Shake wine and rum with ice for 20 seconds. Strain over ice in a tall glass.
Optional, for both: Soak a sugar cube in high-proof spirit on a silver spoon. Light the cube, then drop it into the drink once caramelized. Stir gently. For “By Sea,” add a second sugar cube if desired to symbolize Paul Revere’s two lanterns.
Stone Fence
From Eight Shires Distillery
8 ounces apple cider (hard or not)
2 ounces 8 Shires Accomac Spiced Rum
Cold
Combine cider and rum over ice. Stir.
Warm
Microwave cider with a cinnamon stick until hot (leave room for rum). Add rum, stir, and serve.
