Cremat facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
|
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| Type | Mixed drink |
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | hot |
| Commonly used ingredients |
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| Preparation | Mix all ingredients in a pot, heat, then set aflame. Put out when about 1/3 of the drink has burned away. Serve hot in coffee mugs or glasses. |
Cremat, also called rom cremat (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈrom kɾəˈmat]), means 'burnt rum' in Catalan. It is a special hot drink that comes from Catalonia, a region in Spain. Many different recipes exist, but most of them use rum, sugar, spices (especially cinnamon), lemon peel, and some kind of coffee. This coffee can be roasted beans, instant coffee, or even brewed coffee.
Where Does Cremat Come From?
The story of cremat is linked to old sea travel and trade. In the 1800s, people from Catalonia sailed to the Americas, especially Cuba. They went there to find new opportunities and make money. When they returned home, they were called indià or indiano.
This special drink is often connected to fishermen. Many people believe it first started on the Costa Brava. This is a beautiful coastal area in the Girona region of Catalonia.
Why Cremat is Special
Making and drinking cremat is a big part of singing havaneres. These are traditional songs that sound a bit like sea shanties. They are based on Cuban contradanza music. Both the havaneres songs and the cremat drink are important symbols of Catalan culture.
You can often find a concert or cantada (singing event) of havaneres at night. These events happen during village festivals (called festes majors) all over Catalonia. They are not just by the sea! At these events, cremat is served to both the singers and the people watching. It's a warm, friendly tradition that brings people together.
How to Make Cremat
Cremat is usually made in a large, round clay pot. Dark rum is often used, but since a lot of the alcohol burns away, you don't need the most expensive kind.
Here are the steps:
- First, mix the rum with sugar, cinnamon, a lemon peel, and roasted coffee beans.
- Heat this mixture on a stove. This helps the sugar melt.
- You can taste it at this point to see if it's sweet enough. Add more sugar if you like.
- The next part should be done outdoors for safety!
- Carefully set the mixture on fire. You can light a spoonful first, then the whole pot.
- Let it burn until about one-third of the liquid has burned away. This usually takes around 10 minutes.
- To put out the fire, you can cover the pot with a lid, blow on it, or pour some brewed coffee into it.
Once the fire is out, the cremat is ready! It is served hot in glasses or coffee mugs.
