ROCK & RYE: Blurred Lines
During Prohibition, Rock & Rye went from being a cordial served at the local watering hole to a medicinal cure-all available at the local drug store. Why? The pharmacy was one of the few places where alcohol could be had without the high taxes placed on liquor. Since the ingredients in this bar room staple may have some medicinal benefits, it was patented as an “alcoholic medicinal preparation”, blurring the lines between a cordial and a cough medicine. A few teaspoons of the preparation were often added to hot tea. Stop in to see us for the essential rock candy or horehound candy. The whiskey? Well, that’s up to you. The big question remains. Does it work? Maybe. At least a little bit. From a theoretical standpoint, here’s the evidence:
- Whiskey – decongestant
- Alcohol – dilates blood vessels
- Honey and lemon – soothe sore throats, reduce cough, natural antiseptic
- Honey – coats the throat
- Steam from tea – opens nasal passages
- Star anise – natural antibacterial, antioxidant
- Horehound – expectorant
Need a recipe? How about TWO!
Rock & Rye (Saveur 2012)
- 1 liter rye whiskey
- 8oz rock candy
- 4oz Luxardo cherry syrup (or maraschino cherry syrup)
- 12 cloves
- 3 whole star anise
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
Combine contents in clean 4 quart jar with a lid. Let steep 2 days to a month. Pour through fine sieve and store covered in refrigerator. Use “by the shot” or as a tablespoon in a cup of hot tea.
Rock & Rye (Whiskey Advocate 2019)
- 750mL rye whiskey
- 5 Claey’s Horehound drops
- 2-3 Tablespoons honey
- ½ orange, cut in half with peel on
- ½ lemon, cut in half with peel on
- 1/8 peeled pineapple, cut into chunks
- 6 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Combine all ingredients in clean jar with lid. Let steep 7 days. Remove cloves, cinnamon sticks and fruit. Adjust sweetness to taste. Pour through fine sieve and store covered in refrigerator. Use “by the shot” or as a tablespoon in a cup of hot tea.