Patriotic Grog

This week, I would like to explain an Air Force medical (and non-medical) tradition. Grog was a drink that sailors used as a morale booster for long and arduous journeys. 

In case you ever need a morale booster, there is an old recipe that we used for formal dinners in the Air Force. It was a Patriotic Grog. The recipe was simple.

Throughout the 200 plus year history of our great country military forces have seen action multiple times. In order to celebrate some of the major military events in our history, a grog can be mixed in commemoration of the favorite beverages used by our troops.

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence marked the formal onset of the American Revolution. English Ale was the favored drink of the colonists.

The next major American war, the War of 1812, was also fought against the British. The American forces drank port wine.

The battle for the State of Texas resulted in the Mexican-American War. Tequila was the drink of choice.

The Civil War saw American soldiers fighting brother against brother. The favored drink of that period was bourbon.

“Remember the Maine” was the battle cry of the Spanish-American War. For this war the drink was Spanish wine.

In the early 20th century the Marines conducted a police action in the Caribbean. The beverage for this activity was rum. 

The United States ended WWI in 1917 and sent troops to the foxholes and trenches of France. The celebration of that includes Champagne added to the grog.

WWII occurred less than a quarter of a century later. Once again Americans were on European soil. Thus we include German wine.

In Korea rice wine was the drink of the day and added to the grog.

The Vietnam War was the most controversial war in our history. There was little controversy about the fact that the appropriate beverage for this war was beer.

During Desert Shield/Desert Storm alcohol was frowned upon in the Middle East. “Near beer” made the reality of war a little more sobering. Of course there were those whose loved ones sent over contraband alcohol disguised in bottles of Listerine.

So if your morale ever needs a boost, you can use a formula that is tried and true to boost it. Just don’t forget the Listerine.