Holiday Drinks of Regency England

It really doesn’t matter what month it is right now because whatever it may be, Christmas will be here before you know it. Looking for a few out of the ordinary beverages to serve at your next holiday gathering? Look no further than a few hundred years ago to merry olde England, the birthplace of Dickens A Christmas Carol.

Negus

Negus—a mixture of wine, hot water, sugar, lemon, and nutmeg—was quite a popular holiday beverage in England. It was served at gatherings, assemblies, and charitable receptions. The drink is said to be named after Colonel Francis Negus, who introduced the refreshment in the early eighteenth century. Its gentle sweetness and festive spice make it a particular favorite at Christmas.

Here is a recipe for traditional negus:

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (750 ml) port wine

• 1 cup hot water

• 1/3 cup sugar

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for serving

Directions

1. Combine the hot water, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add the port and warm gently over low heat. Do not boil.

3. Stir in the nutmeg.

4. Pour into small glasses or cups and grate a little extra nutmeg over the top.

Posset

A posset is a warm, creamy drink made from milk or cream curdled with wine or ale and laced with sugar and spice. Once a medieval remedy for colds and sleeplessness, by the early 1800s it had become a treat, often served at Christmas or after supper when spirits ran high and the night ran long.

Here is a recipe for a traditional posset:

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

1. Pour the cream and sugar into a saucepan.

2. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

3. Let it bubble gently for about 3 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest.

5. Pour into small glasses or dishes.

6. Chill for at least 4 hours, until softly set.

So, why did I choose these two beverages to highlight? Because they’re mentioned in my newest release, Belle’s Christmas Carol.

Here’s a blurb:

While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.

When Ebeneezer Scrooge's former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they've ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.

Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?