Throughout history, alcohol has claimed pride of place amongst the pills and potions of the medicine cabinet. From a glug of wine to "defend the body from corruption" to a sip of absinthe to cure the body of intestinal parasites, it’s been both a useful tool and destructive influence for millennia.
So in this turbulent time, I thought why not turn to history for a tipple? Originally invented for the World Class Cocktail Championships (2014) this is my Anti-Plague Gin and Tonic, a historic herbal remedy that probably won’t stop you feeling like Black Death in the morning.
This concoction is based on a Plague Water recipe from 1669 which calls for an infusion of sage, rosemary, angelica and tarragon (plus a whole host of poisonous herbs, which I’ve left out), traditionally it would be mixed with wine but here I’ve added it to Gin and Tonic for the additional anti-plague and anti-malarial effect!
Anti-Plague Gin & Tonic (c.1669)
Recipe (syrup):
Over a low heat, dissolve 150g caster sugar in 150ml water. Add a couple of springs of fresh rosemary, and a small handful of sage and tarragon. Stir occasionally and do not allow to boil. Take off the heat once the sugar is no longer visible. Once the mixture has cooled, remove the herbs and bottle for future cocktail use. Store at room temperature.
Recipe (cocktail):
Served: In a long glass
1 part Anti-Plague Syrup (25ml)
1 part Gin (25ml)
Add Ice and Tonic
Garnish with herbs
The costume worn by physicians attending plague patients is described by Jean Jacques Manget in his 'Traité de la peste', Geneva, 1721: ‘The gown was made of Morocco leather, with underneath a skirt, breeches and boots, all of leather and fitting into one another. The long beak-like nose piece was fitted with aromatic substances and the eyeholes were covered with glass.’ - Image courtesy of Wellcome Collection.
DID YOU KNOW… the word ‘malaria’ comes directly from the miasma theory of disease. It means "bad air" in Italian. The miasma theory is the same medicinal thinking that lead to those plague doctors stuffing their beaks with aromatic herbs to ward off the evil air.