Sack Posset (2024)



Sack Posset (1)

You can tell the holiday season is upon us, just by theamount of Christmas commercials on television, as well as the re-runs of oldChristmas shows. This week, I watched an interesting show on the HistoryChannel about where our holiday traditions came from, and it got me thinkingabout traditional holiday drinks. Last year, I did a blog about mulled wine,and the previous year, I did one about the origins of eggnog. So this year, Iwent into the archives, and did some digging. Are you familiar with SackPosset?

“Sack what?” you say? Sack Posset was a popular,custard-like drink of Elizabethan England. That may be the nice way of puttingit. Since many in the population of that time, were of lesser means, SackPosset was more of a curdled milk and wine/beer concoction. It went out ofstyle about 200 years ago, but a newer recipe I was able to find, mayrevive this once popular drink.

Sack Posset (2)

First, where did the name come from? “Sack” is a common old Englishterm used to refer to a fortified wine. It may have come from the Latin,‘siccus’ meaning dry or harsh. But, not all fortified wines are dry and harsh. Youmay be familiar with Dry Sack Sherry (which can be harsh). This is a dry,fortified wine from the Sherry (Jerez) region of Spain. Since “sack” can referto any fortified wine, we can assume Sherry, Madiera, or even Port could beused as an ingredient. The word, “posset” used to refer to a small pot orsaucepan. Today, a posset is a type of small pot. They have large bodies, lidsand usually, two handles. There is a spout at the front that was not used forpouring, but for actually sucking out the liquor. The remaining curds wereeaten with a spoon.

Sack Posset (3)

Sack Posset was made from various recipes. Originally, it appearsto have been for medicinal use. But by the 17th Century, it becamemore popular as an actual beverage. Also, remember that hygiene, pasteurization,etc, were not known at this time, so alcohol was the way to kill germs. Sack Possettypically featured spiced, warm wine mixed with milk, or cream. The milk wouldcurdle and float to the top. So you would drink the wine from the bottom, theneat the sweet curds that floated to the top.

A properly made posset was said to have “three differentlayers. The uppermost, known as 'the grace' was a snowy foam or aereated crust.In the middle was a smooth spicy custard and at the bottom a pungent alcoholicliquid. The grace and the custard were enthusiastically consumed as 'spoonmeat'and the sack-rich liquid below drunk through the 'pipe' or spout of the possetpot.”

The first published recipe is from Sir Kenelm Digby (London:1671):

Take a pottle ofCream, and boil in it a little whole Cinnamon, and three or four flakes ofMace. To this proportion of Cream put in eighteen yolks of eggs, and eight ofthe whites; a pint of Sack; beat your eggs very well, and then mingle them withyour Sack. Put in three quarters of a pound of Sugar into the Wine and Eggs,with a Nutmeg grated, and a little beaten Cinnamon; set the Bason on the firewith the Wine and Eggs, and let it be hot. Then put in the Cream boiling fromthe fire, pour it on high, but stir it not; cover it with a dish, and when itis settlede, strew on the top a little fine Sugar mingled with three grains ofAmbergreece, and one grain of Musk, and serve it up.

Sack Posset (4)

I was able to find an updated/current recipe for SackPosset, that was published by Reader’s Digest (Australia), it is written asfollows:

Ingredients

6 egg yolks

3 egg whites

1 cup fino sherry

1⁄4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and mace

1⁄4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2⁄3 cup caster sugar

4 cup pouring cream

grated nutmeg for sprinkling

Preparation

Put the egg yolks, egg whites, sherry and spices into alarge mixing bowl and whisk until they are well blended. Place the bowl over asaucepan of gently boiling water and stir until warm. Take care not to let theegg mixture overheat or it will scramble.

Reserving 1 teaspoon of the caster sugar, heat the remainderwith the cream in a saucepan until it rises to the boil. Pour the cream mixtureimmediately, in a steady stream from a height, onto the egg mixture, whiskingas you pour to make it frothy.

Leave the posset to stand in a warm place for 5 minutes,then sprinkle the reserved sugar and a little nutmeg over the surface and servein heatproof glasses. This drink goes well with mince pies and, because it isrich, one glass per person should be sufficient.

So, try something different this holiday. Make some mulledwine, or homemade eggnog….or if you are really adventurous, make some SackPosset, and share the history with your friends.

Sack Posset (2024)

FAQs

What is sack Posset in Elizabethan England? ›

This original recipe from the 17th century was often used as a curative drink in wealthy households. The combination of eggs, sugar, cream and sherry results in an exceedingly luxurious dessert.

Why is it called a Posset? ›

In 14th and 15th century cookery manuals, a possibly-related word, spelled variously "possenet", "postnet", or "posnet", is used to mean a small pot or saucepan. In 16th-century and later sources, possets are generally made from lemon or other citrus juice, cream and sugar. Eggs are often added.

What is a hot Posset? ›

Posset is a Middle English word of uncertain origin, but there's no uncertainty about what it is. It's a drink composed of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or other liquor, with sugar and spices sometimes added. It was (and still is) popular not only as a delicacy but also as a remedy for colds and other infections.

What is the oldest British dessert? ›

Bread & Butter Pudding

As one of the oldest recorded British desserts dating back to the early 1700s, bread and butter pudding was featured in The Compleat Housewife cookery book by Eliza Smith.

What is the queen's dessert? ›

A chocolate and cookie concoction that is called a tiffin in the UK and happens to be Queen Elizabeth II's favorite cake!

What is the difference between a panna cotta and a posset? ›

What's the difference between panna cotta and posset? Panna cotta means “cooked cream” in Italian. The difference between panna cotta and posset is that panna cotta uses gelatin, and posset relies on the acid in citrus to help it set.

How do you pronounce Possett? ›

Break 'posset' down into sounds: [POS] + [IT] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.

How long does posset last in fridge? ›

Lemon posset will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. Simply place into serving dishes and cover the top of the dish with cling film.

Why are possets runny? ›

The posset tastes so rich that it's hard to believe that it's so easy to make and requires just 3 ingredients. Talking of ingredients, don't confuse thickened cream for double cream, they're very different. If you use thickened cream, your posset will be runny and won't set, only double cream will do!

What is the difference between posset and syllabub? ›

However, syllabub, also known as everlasting sylaabub, is served cold and doesn't separate. Posset is served warm, very typically as a drink, and often given to people who are sick. The milk was heated and then curdled by adding spiced wine, spirits, or ale.

What is posset made of? ›

In 16th-century and later sources, possets are generally made from lemon or other citrus juice, cream and sugar. Eggs are often added. Some recipes used breadcrumbs to thicken the beverage. "Posset sets" for mixing and serving possets were popular gifts, and valuable ones (often made of silver) were heirlooms.

What do the Brits call dessert? ›

The simple explanation is that Brits use the word 'pudding' to refer to dessert. If they are going to serve you an actual pudding they will specify the type of pudding – for example, sticky toffee pudding or rice pudding.

What is the oldest meal in the world? ›

One of the oldest meals ever eaten may have been discovered in a fossil over half a billion years old. A mollusc-like animal known as Kimberella appears to have enjoyed a meal of green algae and bacteria shortly before its death 558 million years ago.

What is Prince Charles favorite dessert? ›

"I must have cooked the lemon cream two hundred times: it is a dessert created by chance for Charles III, then Prince of Wales, which has become one of his favourite desserts," says Enrico Derflingher, executive chef of the British royal family from 1987 to 1990 - "the first and only Italian chef at the service of the ...

What perfume does the Queen use? ›

Queen Elizabeth reportedly wears Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a spicy citrus with a powdery dry down. It's been a classic for the fragrance house ever since the scent was created in 1912.

What sandwich does the Queen eat? ›

According to the royal's former personal chef Darren McGrady, she loves eating her tried-and-true “jam penny” every day, which has been a staple in her diet for many years. The sandwich is simply made up of three ingredients: bread, jam and butter.

Why is my lemon posset grainy? ›

Here's how it goes: When acid is added to milk (or when milk turns sour over time), the change in pH causes the milk's casein proteins to lose the negative charge that ordinarily keeps them separate. Instead, they bond together in clusters, and the milk becomes grainy, or curdled.

Why does my lemon posset not set? ›

It sounds like your problem is most likely lack of acid. The acid is what causes possets to thicken. That could happen because the lemons aren't acidic enough (maybe the ones you had the first time were more sour).

Does the Queen like lemon posset? ›

The Queen's favourite dessert has been revealed by her former chef and it's pretty simple to make. Chef Darren McGrady shared the royal recipe for The Queen's go-to dessert, a lemon posset, and it only requires three simple ingredients.

How would you describe a posset? ›

posset noun [C or U] (FOOD)

a sweet food made from milk or cream with other things such as sugar, lemon, or wine added to it: For dessert we had lemon posset.

Why is it pronounced Nutella? ›

Whilst 6% think “NEW-tell-uh” is the correct pronunciation and the remaining 3% simply haven't got the foggiest. Nutella has now confirmed that the emphasis should actually be put on the 'N' and 'OU' – so the correct pronunciation is… “NOU- tella”.

How much posset is normal? ›

⁣What's a normal size posset? A posset is small amount of milk from a dribble up to around 15mls – a common symptom of a immature gut and liquid diet. A proper throw up or projectile vomit/ sicking up is in excess of 30ml.

What is lemon posset made from? ›

What is a lemon posset made from? Just double cream, lemon juice, lemon zest and caster sugar! A posset was originally a British drink made of hot curdled milk and then flavoured with wine, ale or spice. The lemon posset recipe we have today is a modern take on a historic British classic.

What can you do with left over lemon juice? ›

Here's what I came up with.
  1. Freeze It. ...
  2. Lemon Curd. ...
  3. Lemon Syrup. ...
  4. Lemon-Garlic Soup. ...
  5. Sour Mix. ...
  6. Lemonade. ...
  7. Pink Lemonade Popsicles. ...
  8. Tackle Stains on White Clothes.

Is posset the same as mousse? ›

Recently, it's been revamped by English chefs. Today's posset is totally different. It's a chilled dessert that's got a fabulous velvety texture similar to a mousse or pudding that's typically flavored with lemon. It's made from three simple ingredients, sugar, cream and lemons.

Is it normal for baby to posset? ›

Almost all babies posset (some more than others) during the early months. Posseting is the regurgitation of small quantities of undigested milk following each feed.

Does lemon make cream curdle? ›

Does Lemon Juice Curdle Cream? No! In fact, it actually helps to thicken it. Lemon juice acidifies the cream which causes the proteins in the cream to clump, and then the fat from the cream and butter prevent it from clumping tightly.

What is a posset in British? ›

posset in British English

(ˈpɒsɪt ) noun. a drink of hot milk curdled with ale, beer, etc, flavoured with spices, formerly used as a remedy for colds. Word origin.

What does possets mean in Shakespeare? ›

Posset is a drink similar to our modern eggnog. It is made by pouring heated and spiced cream over a warm mixture of eggs, sugar, and alcohol.

What does syllabub mean in English? ›

syl·​la·​bub ˈsi-lə-ˌbəb. variants or less commonly sillabub. : milk or cream that is curdled with an acid beverage (such as wine or cider) and often sweetened and served as a drink or topping or thickened with gelatin and served as a dessert.

What is a posset cup used for? ›

Object 14 - The terms 'posset cup' and 'posset pot' were used to refer to a range of vessels that were designed to hold posset, a restorative drink of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or liquor and flavoured with sugar, herbs, and spices.

What is double cream in Australia? ›

In Australia, the labels “single” and “double” cream are mostly irrelevant. You need to read the fat content on the label to see which is which. Single cream (often labelled “pouring cream”) contains 33-35% fat, double cream has 60-66% fat, and thickened cream is single cream with a thickening agent added.

How is Chantilly? ›

French Chantilly Cream Recipe. Crème Chantilly is whipped cream sweetened with powdered icing sugar and flavoured with vanilla. Easy to make, this French whipped cream is a must on all your desserts. It's light, sweet and airy.

What does posset mean in Britain? ›

British Dictionary definitions for posset

posset. / (ˈpɒsɪt) / noun. a drink of hot milk curdled with ale, beer, etc, flavoured with spices, formerly used as a remedy for colds.

What was the most popular dessert in the Elizabethan era? ›

Marchpane was a popular dessert item, often involving almonds ground into a flour, made into a paste, and used as a kind of pie with various fruits.

What was the worst punishment in Elizabethan could receive? ›

Those convicted of these crimes received the harshest punishment: death. Execution methods for the most serious crimes were designed to be as gruesome as possible. Heretics were burned to death at the stake. Traitors were hanged for a short period and cut down while they were still alive.

What was the punishment for mugging in Elizabethan times? ›

Many offences were punished by the pillory – the criminal stood with his head and his hands through holes in a wooden plank. This could be as painful as public opinion decided, as the crowd gathered round to throw things at the wretched criminal.

What do they call erasers in London? ›

“Eraser” In The USA Is “Rubber” In The UK, But

Americans, in the UK,a rubber is an eraser. If you're British and you ask for a “rubber” in the USA, you're going to get a strange glare, and then a condom. If you want something to erase pencil marks, it's eraser…

What is a cracker in England? ›

​(British English, informal) something that you think is very good, funny, etc. It was a cracker of a goal. I've got a joke for you. It's a real cracker!

What does dippy mean in the UK? ›

dippy in British English

(ˈdɪpɪ ) adjectiveWord forms: -pier or -piest. slang. odd, eccentric, or silly.

What is Queen Elizabeth's Favourite sweets? ›

Her favorite formal dessert was said to be Chocolate Perfection Pie, but she adored anything chocolate. Chocolate Perfection Pie is actually a flan that's made with a pâte sucrée crust which is loaded with a richly decadent chocolate filling.

What was the most brutal punishments in medieval times? ›

Perhaps the most brutal of all execution methods is hung, strung and quartered. This was traditionally given to anyone found guilty of high treason. The culprit would be hung and just seconds before death released then disemboweled and their organs were then thrown into a fire - all while still alive.

What is the most painful punishment in history? ›

Flaying—or skinning—was perhaps the most painful of all ancient world execution methods because of its slow process. The victim was first stripped, and their hands and feet bound to stop any movement.

What was considered the least brutal form of execution in Elizabethan times? ›

Executions by beheading were considered the least brutal of execution methods and were accorded to important State prisoners or people of noble birth. Various traditions were observed at executions by beheading. A raised platform was built (scaffold) and covered with straw.

What was the most common crime in medieval England? ›

Petty Theft- Perhaps the most common of crimes in the Middle Ages. This is the theft of low value goods from an individual. This was often punished by a form of public humiliation or mutilation. Treason- This is the act of disloyalty to the crown, including attempts to murder the monarch or act against the monarch.

What was the most common Tudor punishment? ›

The Tudors hated people misbehaving or not attending church and children were punished in the same way as adults. Public flogging (being whipped) and branding (burned with a mark) were common.

What was the most common punishment in Tudor times? ›

How did the Tudors punish people?
  • Whipping was a common punishment for a wide variety of crimes. ...
  • Being branded (burned) with a hot iron was another common punishment.
  • Criminals were also locked in stocks. ...
  • The worst punishments were reserved for the most serious crimes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6589

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.