You can pretty much Steampunk a lot of cocktails and mixed alcoholic beverages. This style can be added to the way your glasses look, the method and “steam powered” machinery you use to pour and mix the ingredients.
The Victorian era of alcohol
During the Victorian era alcohol had been made using water in combination with steam machines. The Steampunk drinks part of that retro style, acknowledge the alcohol brewing and all its components like copper cups, pots, pipes, etc.
Spirits had been used a lot as a doctor’s prescription as a Victorian cocktails for health. In those times, drinks like beer, gin and whiskey had been more hygienic than water. Needles to say, alcohol was the cause not only for healing problems, but causing them as well. Even though, in the 18th century drinking and drunkenness had been accepted as part of life, thanks to the increasing industrialization, the attitude to drunkenness had changed. Employers for example, had insisted their workers to show up for work sober. That necessity had been one of the first safety regulations. A signal to change in the way of work and the rhythm of life of the workers. A rhythm, that we are accustomed to in a large scale today.
Victorian drinking habits
The drinking habits and attitudes toward beer during the Victorian era had changed significantly. One reason why we refer to the memorable events of the arising inspiration, creation and innovation. Those three had been main characters on the two well known stages – America’s Wild Wild West and Victorian England. A stage without its main characters would be nothing but empty space. For that retro steampunk idea, core roles played Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and other notable authors. Back then, they had been modern technology visionaries. Many modern ideas were created before Steampunks came up with them; they used steam for power. If you think about it, today you can implement and use any kind of Steampunk style in almost anything. Nevertheless, the 19th century was not without its share of bumps.
Victorian alcohol had been made using water in combination with steam machines. The Steampunk drinks part of that retro style, acknowledge the alcohol brewing and all its components like copper cups, pots, pipes, etc. Spirits had been used a lot as a doctor’s prescription as a Victorian cocktails for health. In those times, drinks like beer, gin and whiskey had been more hygienic than water. Needles to say, alcohol was the cause not only for healing problems, but causing them as well. Even though, in the 18th century drinking and drunkenness had been accepted as part of life, thanks to the increasing industrialization, the attitude to drunkenness had changed. Employers for example, had insisted their workers to show up for work sober. That necessity had been one of the first safety regulations. A signal to change in the way of work and the rhythm of life of the workers. A rhythm, that we are accustomed to in a large scale today.
Another prominent usage of alcohol in 19th century, had been as a preserver and antiseptic. People had learned, that diseases in food and drinks could be killed using those same qualities of alcohol. That explains the reason, why they had used raw eggs in combination with alcohol to create the tasty eggnog, as we know it today. Back then, it had been served at Christmas times too. What is more, the raw eggs in the drink had been alerting the people for arising potential salmonella threat. If you are true 19th century Steampunk fan, consuming spirits and beer will always bring you closer to that era. Beer had been one of the regularly brewed alcoholic beverages. Another drink, which combines few main flavors of that time is the cocktail The Drunken Earl. Its main ingredients are whiskey and tea. After all, what better way to steampunk your evening drink, than to use two of the regularly consumed drinks of the Victorian era.
Steampunk inspired drinks
Today we feed the Steampunk looks and style with pretty much everything connected to the Victorian drinks, even with the spoons for absinthe. There are such crafty workmanship, that keep 19th century alive and steaming. Many fiction authors of that era have had favorite drinks to enjoy. Back then, not just the idea of mixing spirits had been innovative, but everything else, that goes with it. All the small details, like ice, fruit, sugar, herbs and so on, that helps build the structure of modern equivalent of a Victorian cocktail. Great example for a drink, that travels in time and had preserved the antiquated flavors of 19th century is the punch Sangree. Its tasty descendant is the modern times Sangria. If you want to bring a whiff of steampunk to your party, you can always rely on an amazingly crafted glass bowl of Sangria. The Cock Tail itself, makes its way all the way back, from the Victorian London bars. It is a feast drink, combining sugar (or syrup), rye whiskey (brandy/rum//gin), bitters, water and sprinkled ground nutmeg. Other Victorian alcoholic drinks, that nurtures steampunk style mixed drinks are the well known gin-sling, mint julep and sherry-cobbler.
You can pretty much Steampunk a lot of cocktails and mixed alcoholic beverages. This style can be added to the way your glasses look, the method and “steam powered” machinery you use to pour and mix the ingredients.
Famous Steampunk fiction writers and what they like to drink
Here are some famous fiction writers of the era and some of their favorite drinks, that are reachable today too:
- H. G. Wells – he is known to be a bourbon lover. It has been enjoyed also in a cocktail. That drink is rich in anise flavor. In it, the bourbon takes a step back and let the anise be in the first row. Helping blend the flavours are dry vermouth and bitters.
- K.W. Jeter – he is known to be more of a beer man. Which is probably the easiest way to enjoy his drink of choice today.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald – his favorite had been gin. He favored it, because it was actually undetectable on his breath. Cocktail of choice – Gin Rickey.
- Tim Powers – he never really got into mixed drinks. Favorable drink – neat scotch.
- Jules Verne – he loved the French brandy Cognac. His preferred drink was called “The Golden Cup”.
