Bumbo facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
A glass of Bumbu
|
|
| Type | Cocktail |
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard garnish | Nutmeg |
| Standard drinkware |
 |
| Commonly used ingredients |
|
| Preparation | Mix all ingredients and garnish with nutmeg. |
Bumbu (also known as bumbo or bumboo) is a traditional drink. It is made from rum, water, sugar, and nutmeg. Sometimes, cinnamon is used instead of nutmeg, or added along with it. Today, Bumbu is often made with dark rum, citrus juice, grenadine, and nutmeg.
Contents
What is Bumbu?
Bumbu is a simple, old-fashioned drink. Its main ingredients are rum, water, sugar, and spices. The spices often include nutmeg or cinnamon. This mix gives Bumbu its unique flavor. Modern versions might add fruit juices.
How to Make Bumbu
Making Bumbu is quite easy. You mix rum, water, and sugar. Then, you add a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon. The drink is usually served straight, meaning without ice. It's a simple recipe for a historical drink.
Bumbu in History: A Colonial Election Drink
Bumbu played an interesting role in history. It was very common during election campaigns. This happened in colonial British America. During elections, candidates would offer gifts. They also gave out free food and drinks. This was a way to get people to vote for them.
Giving voters free Bumbu was a popular practice. People even had a special phrase for it. They called it "swilling the planters with bumbu." This meant giving free drinks to important voters. It was a common part of election traditions back then.
George Washington and Bumbu
One famous person known for using Bumbu was George Washington. He later became the first President of the United States. When he was campaigning for a political job, he used Bumbu. This was in July 1758. He was running for the Virginia House of Burgesses. This was a governing body in colonial Virginia.
Records show that George Washington spent a lot on Bumbu. He used 160 gallons of rum for it. This was to treat 391 voters. It shows how important Bumbu was in colonial elections. It was a way to connect with voters.
