The legend of "Grog"

Admiral Sir Edward Vernon
Nickname "Old Grog"

Admiral Sir Edward Vernon. Born in Westminster England on November 12, 1684, joined the Royal Navy in 1700 when he was 16. He became a Captain in 1706 at the age of 22, and was in command of HMS Rye. He spent most of his life on long sea voyages and was known for his welfare of the crew.

A daily issue of alcohol, referred to as a Tot, was given to his crew to compensate for the hardships experienced at sea, and also helped to keep morale high and was believed to instill courage before battle. Known to wear a Grogram coat, he had earned the nickname of “Old Grogram” or sometimes merely “Old Grog.” Thus the mixture of 90 proof rum and water soon became known as Grog!

Rum which was made from sugar cane was introduced in West Indies and Caribbean by Columbus in 1493.

The first rum was made in Brazil, Barbados and Jamaica. By the mid 1700‘s, Rum was made throughout the Caribbean. The sweet juices from the sugar cane are first turned into molasses. This syrup is then fermented and distilled into rum, which is then aged in casks giving it the gold color, or charred casks for darker color.

On August 21, 1740 Admiral Vernon ordered the rum be mixed with water, sugar and citrus juice which was also helped in the prevention of scurvy. Thus, Grog was given to the crew several times a day and was a mainstay in the British Navel Forces way into the 1800's.

All the information and images in this post are credited to the Key West Maritime Historical Society. It is also noted repeatedly throughout the articles that Caribbean Rum was the best tasting Grog in all of history.