Boilo: Sweet, Spicy & Boozy

[Eleanor Rose]

(Public Domain)
​

Anthracite coal was heavily mined throughout the 19th​ century. The first anthracite mine was established near Pittston, Pennsylvania and by the 1820s, this coal was being shipped in large quantities out of the region. The population rapidly grew following the American Civil War, with the expansion of the mining and railroad industries.

Immigrants played a large role in anthracite mining and thus the traditions they held dear often became popular in the area where they worked. One such tradition that has been traced to Lithuanian immigrants is today's sweet, spicy, and boozy drink known as boilo.

Often stirred up for parties and fundraisers, the main ingredients of boilo are sliced oranges and lemons, squeezed and cooked in ginger ale, along with pounds of honey, spices, and the occasional handful of raisins. After being brought to a boil, the mixture is removed from the heat and strained. Then whiskey is added. Legends tell of boilo explosions from fire meeting a dribble of flammable whiskey. Boilo is traditionally made in large batches and typically stored in mason jars. It's a drink for sipping!

Boilo (adapted from The Patriot-News)

Ingredients:
3 oranges
2 lemons
2 cups honey
2 cups ginger ale (water can be substituted)
¼ cup raisins
2 cinnamon sticks
½ teaspoon caraway seeds
½ teaspoon whole cloves
½ teaspoon whole allspice berries
½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 750-milliliter bottle of your preferred blended whiskey

Directions:
Wash the oranges and lemons and halve them, leaving the peels on. Squeeze their juice into a large stovetop pot. Then, add the citrus halves to the pot, as well as the rest of the ingredients, except for the whiskey.

Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the honey. Then, lower the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 40 minutes. Too much heat will cause the boilo to foam and, you guessed it, boil over.

After 40 minutes, remove the boilo from the heat, and strain the mixture into a large heat-safe container, discarding the spices and citrus halves. Then, stir in the whiskey. Serve the boilo hot or warm in shot glasses. Pour any extra into mason jars and refrigerate. Yields three 16-ounce mason jars of boilo, plus some extra.

 

[donna]

Thanks for posting. Didn't know this one.

 

[Mrs. V]

Sounds tasty and fairly dangerous for the unwary.

 

[Fairfield]

Spiced whiskey? Bet that it's good for a sore throat!