Smoking Bishop facts for kids
— Ebenezer Scrooge
Smoking Bishop was a popular warm drink, much like mulled wine or punch. It was especially famous in Victorian England during Christmas time. You might know it from Charles Dickens' famous story, A Christmas Carol. In the story, the character Ebenezer Scrooge mentions it.
Contents
What is Smoking Bishop?
Smoking Bishop was a festive drink enjoyed during the cold Christmas season. It was made with port and red wine. Other ingredients included lemons or Seville oranges, sugar, and spices. These spices often included cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
How it was Made
To make Smoking Bishop, people would first roast citrus fruits like lemons or oranges. This roasting helped to caramelize them, giving them a sweeter, richer flavor. After roasting, all the ingredients were gently warmed together. This process blended the flavors of the wine, fruit, and spices.
The Name's Mystery
There's a fun story about how Smoking Bishop got its name. Some people believe the name came from the shape of the special bowl it was served in. This bowl was said to look like a bishop's mitre, which is a tall hat worn by bishops. This story suggests the drink was served in old guildhalls and universities. However, this is just a myth, but it adds to the drink's charm!
Other "Ecclesiastical" Drinks
Smoking Bishop was part of a group of similar warm drinks. These were sometimes called "ecclesiastics" because their names sounded like church titles. Here are a few examples:
- The Smoking Archbishop: This drink was made with claret, another type of red wine.
- The Smoking Beadle: This version used ginger wine and raisins.
- The Smoking Cardinal: This one was made with fancy Champagne or Rhine wine.
- The Smoking Pope: This drink used burgundy, another kind of red wine.
These drinks show how creative people were with their festive beverages long ago!
Images for kids
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The mitre-shaped punchbowl, as illustrated in Eliza Acton's Modern Cookery
See also
- List of hot beverages
