Gunfire (drink)
| Type | Mixed drink |
|---|---|
| Served | stirred |
| Standard drinkware |
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| Commonly used ingredients |
1 cup of black tea |
| Preparation | Pour the tea into a cup. Pour the rum in and stir. |
Gunfire (or Gun-fire) is a British cocktail made of black tea and rum. It has its origins in the British Army and is also used as a name for early morning tea in the army.[1][2][3]
Contents
History
British Army
It is unknown when Gunfire was concocted; however it is known that it was mixed by British Army soldiers during the 1890s.[4] Gunfire is served by Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to lower ranks before a morning attack (as a form of Dutch courage) and as a celebration before a Passing out parade.[5] It is also traditionally served to soldiers in their beds by their officers on Christmas Day at Reveille if they are deployed over Christmas.[6] Individual regiments may carry out the ritual on other days; for example, within the Royal Tank Regiment Gunfire is served on Cambrai Day.[7]
During the Korean War, members of the American Military Police Corps were given Gunfire by British soldiers under the guise of it being normal tea after a recovery mission. This led to intoxication of the MPs who then drove an Armoured recovery vehicle and some army jeeps into a camp gate as a result of Gunfire consumption.[6]
Australian and New Zealander armies
In Australia and New Zealand on ANZAC Day, a version of Gunfire with black coffee instead of tea is served to soldiers after dawn services as part of the "gunfire breakfast".[8]
Civilians
Gunfire has also been made and drunk outside of military circles. Gunfire was served to participants of British reality programme, Bad Lads Army by the Non-Commissioned Officers before their passing out parade, mirroring the same procedure in the British Army.[9]
Gunfire is also drunk by Australian civilians as well to commemorate ANZAC Day.[10]
A similar drink, particularly in the German-speaking world is Jagertee.
Recipe
Gunfire consists of one cup of black tea with one shot of rum, which is then stirred in the cup.[11]
References
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- ↑ "gun, n.". OED Online. June 2013. Oxford University Press. 18 June 2013
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- ↑ "Regimental Day" Royal Tank Regiment Association
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