Necessity is the mother of invention, right?
Congestion + throat like sand paper + disappearing voice = Russian Grog!
No, I have never made Russian Grog before. How hard can it be?
And no, I don’t want to make traditional Rum Grog. Much as I like rum – spiced especially – vodka won’t give me a headache. And after all, this is purely for medicinal purposes!
After a quick scan of cocktail sites, here’s my variation on an age-old magic elixir.
Groggy Ingredients:
- Water. (Check.)
- Lemon. (Check.)
- Vodka. (Double check!)
- Honey. (Check.)
- Tea. (Optional.)
- Sugar. (We’ll see… )
Directions:
- Heat a cup of water in the microwave. (2 minutes)
- Optionally dunk tea bag. (Earl Grey green tea works for me.)
- Add 1 shot of vodka. (Okay, make that two.)
- Squeeze lemon juice. (As much as you like!)
- Add 1 tbsp of honey.
- Stir and taste.
- Add slice of lemon or two
.
Now close your eyes and drink. Sigh deeply. Imagine you are gliding through the snow on a sleigh next to your hottie version of Doctor Zhivago. You’re bundled in sable, wearing a divine hat, and sipping your grog. In case you’re wondering, the sleigh comes heated and the boots are chic.
(Yes, your throat is feeling better already.)
Incidentally, by skipping the sugar (which the recipe really doesn’t need), you’re less likely to become intoxicated (quickly), savoring the benefits of the grog.
Interested in other variations on grog that more typically use rum and look prettier than mine but are no more sinfully delicious and effective? Pop by here.
Русский медовый грог actually means Russian Honeyed Grog.
Click on Michael Kors Enna Leather Bootie to access original at Cusp.com
Blast from the past! When we were kids, my Russian father made something like this for us when we were sick or just very cold or just cranky, but used red wine or sherry instead of Vodka. (Or maybe he did use Vodka too so we would go to sleep faster.) The tea was not optional, at least per my father. And it was incredibly incredibly soothing and relaxing.
It really felt like it made you better, but I just asked my scientist wife what she thought about any therapeutic properties, and she scoffed at me (as she often does), so there you go. (She also said sugar has nothing to do with slowing alcohol absorption, which goes right through your stomach wall, or something like that; close enough for a working stiff like me). Anyhow, I just mixed up a batch of this and gave her some, and, well, it seems to be having the desired effect. Gotta go…
Mandelstam
Grog with extra sugar – anything sugary – makes the alcohol hit faster, no? (Check with your wife…)
The grog was divine, by the way. But no voice… Hope you enjoyed yours last night as well, Mandelstam.
This reminds me of my French mother-in-law’s cure for anything that ails you. Red wine for an upset stomach, champagne for headaches and a good old-fashioned grog for colds and sore throats. You gotta love the French.
@Pat – yes, to loving the French… and likewise, the Russians for their version of grog! (Champagne for headaches? Really?)
I think the sugar just makes it easier to drink the alcohol more quickly. It’s like drinking juice, not liquor. So it has nothing to do with the rate of alcohol absorption, but everything to do with the rate of consumption!
I hope you feel better soon.
I dare not ask my wife again (I’m going to hear “no means no… don’t push it, buster”) but what Ms. HalfEmpty says makes total sense. Like Mary Poppins says…
Mandelstam
Must be a European thing, I remember my German parents drinking this when they were sick.
The childrens version was chamomile, honey & lemon for a good nights sleep.
Maybe so, Priska! (It does soothe – with or without alcohol.)