Medieval Recipe: Posca

This is a contribution from guest writer the Honorable Lady Desiderata Drake.

Posca is an Ancient Roman drink very similar to sekanjabin, frequently mentioned as something soldiers drank, and as an ingredient in cooking. Soldiers would carry Posca with them, and add it to water when they found it. The vinegar would act as a disinfectant, making the water safer to drink. In its most basic form, it consists of vinegar (most likely red wine vinegar), and water, though honey and herbs and spices were sometimes added.

I experimented quite a bit with the ratios of vinegar and water, but my sweet tooth was not happy until I added the honey. Lots of honey. I added the mint and coriander to make the drink even more refreshing on a hot summer day.

Ingredients (makes enough for 4-5 gallons of water)

1.5 c Honey
.5   c Vinegar (Red wine vinegar, White wine vinegar, or Apple Cider vinegar)
1 T Ground Corriander
Mint to taste

1. Put all ingredients into sauce pan, and bring to a boil.

2. Remove from heat and let cool

3. Store mixture in glass bottle or other sealed container.

4. For one glass:
    Add 1-2 T to 12-16oz of water and stir. 
   
    For 5-gallon water cooler
    Fill water cooler with 4-5 gallons of water. Pour in entire Posca mixture (2 c.).
    Make sure lid is sealed on cooler, and shake cooler to mix.

Source: Pass the Garum: Eating Like the Ancients