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A '''blowtorch''' is an alcoholic | [[File:Blowtorch-Drink.jpg|350px|thumb|A blowtorch made by Grand Duke Travis]] | ||
A '''blowtorch''' is an alcoholic cocktail invented by members of the 1928 Byrd Antarctic Expedition. The recipe calls for mixing lemon powder with grain alcohol and diluting the mixture with ice until it's drinkable. | |||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
[[File:Byrd-Supplies-1928.jpg|400px|thumb|Supplies being loaded onto the ''City of New York'' ]] | |||
As prohibition was in effect in the United States in 1928, it was illegal for American citizens to possess or consume alcohol. However, [[Richard Byrd]] got around this prohibition by requesting 2,000 gallons of alcohol for medicinal purposes. This request was fulfilled by Major Campbell, the Prohibition Administrator for New York. The large store of alcohol on board the expedition's flag ship, ''City of New York'', caused significant excitement among members of the press. | As prohibition was in effect in the United States in 1928, it was illegal for American citizens to possess or consume alcohol. However, [[Richard Byrd]] got around this prohibition by requesting 2,000 gallons of alcohol for medicinal purposes. This request was fulfilled by Major Campbell, the Prohibition Administrator for New York. The large store of alcohol on board the expedition's flag ship, ''City of New York'', caused significant excitement among members of the press. | ||
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<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
“Just when we are starting, I can hardly afford to discuss things that are not so. I have issued the order that there is to be absolutely no intoxicating liquor aboard except for medicinal purposes, and that this alcohol is | “Just when we are starting, I can hardly afford to discuss things that are not so. I have issued the order that there is to be absolutely no intoxicating liquor aboard except for medicinal purposes, and that this alcohol is to be kept under lock and key by the medical officer of the expedition. It has been my rule on Arctic expeditions to request the personnel to drink no intoxicating liquors after the expedition starts, as it is my opinion that it decreases the efficiency in a cold climate by giving a false sense of warmth. It is true that this expedition will need nearly pure alcohol for some of the instruments to keep the fluid from freezing in the very cold temperature." | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
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==Invention of the blowtorch== | ==Invention of the blowtorch== | ||
[[File:Francis Dana Coman.jpg|400px|thumb|Dr. Francis Dana Coman, physician and inventor of the blowtorch]] | |||
Although the crew had a sizable stock of liquor with them, the majority of the stores were probably consumed during the voyage to [[Antarctica]] or simply left behind on the ship while they commenced exploration of the continent. In any case, it is evident there was no liquor readily available when the team wintered over at the Little America base. | Although the crew had a sizable stock of liquor with them, the majority of the stores were probably consumed during the voyage to [[Antarctica]] or simply left behind on the ship while they commenced exploration of the continent. In any case, it is evident there was no liquor readily available when the team wintered over at the Little America base. | ||
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According to [[Paul A. Siple]]: "A few others drank as gentlemen." | According to [[Paul A. Siple]]: "A few others drank as gentlemen." | ||
[[File:1928-Relaxing.jpg|400px|thumb|The Little America team relaxing in their quarters]] | |||
===Lemon powder=== | ===Lemon powder=== | ||
Prior to the expedition, Richard Byrd asked The Insulin Company to develop a dried fruit powder that contained vitamin C in an effort to prevent scurvy. The Byrd expedition carried large quantities of lime juice and lemon powders. The Eli Lilly company also provided crushed "jellied" orange juice that was the first vitamin C infused orange juice concentrate in the world. However, these supplements generally went unused as the crew met their daily vitamin C requirement by consuming fresh seal meat during the long winter. | Prior to the expedition, Richard Byrd asked The Insulin Company to develop a dried fruit powder that contained vitamin C in an effort to prevent scurvy. The Byrd expedition carried large quantities of lime juice and lemon powders. The Eli Lilly company also provided crushed "jellied" orange juice that was the first vitamin C infused orange juice concentrate in the world. However, these supplements generally went unused as the crew met their daily vitamin C requirement by consuming fresh seal meat during the long winter. | ||
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* 3 fl oz orange juice concentrate | * 3 fl oz orange juice concentrate | ||
* Ice | * Ice | ||
During the Second Byrd Expedition, Stuart Paine noted that the geologic team leader, [[Quin Blackburn]] mixed "a whole pot of Lemon" with sherry and the team ate it as ice cream. | |||
===Modern variants=== | ===Modern variants=== | ||
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* Ice | * Ice | ||
==See also== | |||
* [[Shackleton Whisky]] | |||
[[Category:Cuisine of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Cuisine of Westarctica]] | ||
[[Category:Culture of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Culture of Westarctica]] | ||
[[Category:Featured Articles]] | |||