Rocco
The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 is an event that has captured the imagination of people worldwide for over a century.
The opulence and grandeur of the luxurious ship have fascinated historians and enthusiasts alike, and one aspect of this grandeur was the range of beverages served on board.
While the Titanic was known for serving fine wines, spirits, teas, and cocktails, one particular beverage that stood out was the punch.
Read on below to learn all there is to know about what they were drinking that infamous evening, as well as all the alcohol that went down with the ship.
How Much Alcohol Was on Board the Titanic?
The exact amount of alcohol on board the Titanic is not known, as there were no detailed inventories kept of the ship’s provisions.
However, it is known that the Titanic was well-stocked with a variety of alcoholic beverages, ranging from beer and wine to more expensive spirits like whiskey and brandy.
According to historical accounts, the ship’s wine cellar alone contained over 12,000 bottles of wine, including some of the finest vintages from France and Italy.
In addition to this, there were numerous bars and lounges throughout the ship where passengers could order cocktails and other drinks.
What Kind of Alcohol Was on the Titanic?
The Titanic’s alcohol selection was extensive and varied, reflecting the ship’s status as a symbol of luxury and sophistication.
The ship was stocked with a large selection of spirits, including whiskey, gin, brandy, rum, cognac, bourbon, and liqueurs like Chartreuse and Curaçao.
Beer was also available, with a selection of British and American brews on offer. Of course, the Titanic would have also been well-stocked with fine champagne.
With a liquor selection like that, the Titanic’s numerous bars and lounges were able to serve a wide range of cocktails, including plenty of classic drinks that are still popular today.
What Cocktails Did They Serve on the Titanic?
Undoubtedly, the bartending staff aboard the Titanic would have been very knowledgeable and skilled enough to make whatever drink was requested of them, but there were some very popular cocktails at the time that the majority of passengers might have been drinking.
Martini
The Martini is a classic cocktail that has been popular for over a century, and it was certainly a well-known drink in the early 1900s when the Titanic sailed.
Manhattan
It is likely that passengers on the Titanic could have also ordered a Manhattan cocktail.
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that has been popular since the late 1800s when it was invented by Dr. Iain Marshall.
Champagne Cocktail
The Champagne Cocktail is made by placing a sugar cube soaked in bitters at the bottom of a champagne flute, and then adding chilled champagne on top with a lemon twist garnish.
This would have been a very common drink of choice for first-class passengers on the Titanic.
Sidecar
Typically made with cognac, cointreau, and lemon juice, the Sidecar was a fashionable drink during the 1910s and 1920s.
It’s likely that the Titanic’s passengers, especially those in first class, would have been familiar with this cocktail and may have ordered it on board.
Old Fashioned
The old fashioned has been around for a long time, with origins tracing back to the early 1800s in Kentucky, so there is a good chance passengers on the Titanic were sipping on a classic bourbon old fashioned that fateful night.
The Titanic’s Punch Romaine
Punch Romaine is a legendary French recipe dating back to the early 1900s made from egg whites, white rum, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, and champagne.
On the Titanic, Punch Romaine was served in a particularly extravagant manner. The punch was presented in a large silver bowl that was placed in a block of ice and decorated with flowers.
The bowl was then set on a silver tray and presented to the passengers by a white-gloved steward.
Passengers would ladle the punch into their glasses, taking care not to disturb the decorative ice block.
The presentation of Punch Romaine was a spectacle in and of itself, and was a popular attraction among the Titanic’s first-class passengers, who relished the opportunity to indulge in such luxurious experiences.
Cheers!
The drinks served on the Titanic offer a glimpse into the opulent and refined world of the early 1900s, and continue to inspire modern mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts today.
Whether you’re sipping on a classic martini or a modern interpretation of Punch Romaine, the drinks served on the Titanic remind us of the power of food and drink to bring people together and create lasting memories.
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