“Water, water everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink
Water, water everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.”
From “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor
Coleridge
What did the average person drink verses the well-to-do
in the Middle Ages? Liquid refreshments in the form of alcohol were easily
obtained by the common folk. The fancier drinks cost money as many were
imported from other regions, pricing some alcohols and non-alcoholic beverages
out of the range of the average person. Ale, mead, and cider were the drinks of
choice for the general populace while the wealthier included wine and some liquor
in their diet. Because of a quality-control issue, water wasn’t known as a
drink although it’s not to say that folks didn’t drink water.
Mead is a honey-based liquor and it could also have
additives to change the flavor. A popular version was Hydromel, which is made
from honey and water.
The difference in ale and beer (which was also available)
has to do with the ingredients. Beer is derived from barley and hops. Ale is a
fermented drink which can be based from other grains, but also from barley. The
ale was often mixed with fruits or spices to improve the taste. Just as beer,
ales can be light or dark. Beer was known to Charlemagne.
Cider is made from apples, and sometimes other fruits
added for improved taste. Cider is an old drink.
Wine is made from fermented grapes. Grapes need a warm
region to grow, with fertile soil. France and Spain were known for their wines.
One variety of wine popular in the medieval period was called Ipocase. Ipocase
is made from a combination of grapes, ginger, cinnamon, sugar, and turesoll.
Depending on the type of grape is what kind of wine was produced. Other wines
were made from fruit and berries (elderberry,) or with plants (dandelion or
cowslip). One kind produced with fruit (not grapes) was called Malmsey. This
beverage was made from a combination of honey, water, Clary juice, beer, and
brandy. Mulled wine was always served
warm.
Brandy is distilled wine and its origins can be traced
back to eighth century Middle East. Brandy became commonly available in the thirteenth
Century as a medicinal liquid in France. It quickly became popular as a drink
enjoyed by the upper classes who could afford it. Brandy was also used as a
base for other liquors.
Whiskey (any country OTHER than Scotland or Whisky or
Scotch – as it’s known in Scotland) has been around since the ancient ages
although its popularity and refined distilling techniques has its roots in
Scotland.
Not everyone drank alcohol. Herb teas were highly used.
The green and black teas didn’t come into play until the sixteenth century. Tea
was originally utilized for healing but soon became a popular drink after Portuguese
traders brought it back from China. Rose and lavender was added to water and
sought after by ladies of rank. Roses were also used to make syrups. Lemons
mixed with water were enjoyed by those with access to the citrus fruit. The medieval folk had one up on the health
food enthusiasts, utilizing almond milk for a refreshment. Another type of
drink was sweet vinegar; one particular drink was called Sekanjabon, which
consisted of water, vinegar and sugar.
Milk was used but one has to keep in mind that the folks
didn’t have refrigeration. Milk was only good for a limited time before it
spoiled.
Beverages came in large containers, barrels or casks. 36
gallons was equal to a barrel and 9 gallons was a firkin while 8 gallons was a
bushel. A gallon of wine would cost about 8 deniers (12 deniers, or pence) was
the equivalent of one shilling. A half gallon of beer or ale would cost about
1/2 denier. Wine was obviously more expensive than beer or ale. The drinks were
kept in the buttery until needed.
Drinking cups could be made from wood, gourds, pewter,
horn or precious metals and exotic sources such as ostrich shells or coconut.
To rad more about medieval beverages, see the following
references:
The Middle Ages
by Morris Bishop
1968 Houghton Mifflin (2001 edition)
ISBN #0-618-05703-X
The writer’s Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
1993 Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN #0-89879-663-6
The Normans: Warrior Knights and their Castles
by Christopher Gravett & David Nicolle
2005 Osprey Publishing
ISBN #1-84603-088-9
www.medieval-life-and-times.info
www.medieval-spell.com
Stay safe out there!
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