CHAP. LI.Of Usquebaugh.
Usquebaughis a very celebrated Cordial, the Basis of which is Saffron. There are different Ways of making this famous Compound; but the following are equal to any I have seen.
Take of Nutmegs, Cloves, and Cinnamon, of each two Ounces; of the Seeds of Anise, Caraway and Coriander, of each four Ounces; Liquorice Root sliced Half a Pound; bruise the Seeds and Spices, and put them together with the Liquorice into the Still with eleven Gallons of Proof Spirits, and two Gallons of Water; distil with a pretty brisk Fire till the Faints begin to rise. But as soon as your Still begins to work, fasten to the Nose of the Worm two Ounces ofEnglishSaffron tied up in a Cloth, that the Liquor may run thro’ it, and extract all its Tincture, and in order to this you should often press the Saffron with your Fingers. When the Operation is finished, dulcify your Goods with fine Sugar.
Take of Cinnamon, Ginger, and Coriander-seed, of each three Ounces; Nutmegs four Ounces and a Half; Mace, Cloves and Cubebs, of each one Ounce and a Half. Bruise these ingredients, and put them into an Alembic with eleven Gallons of Proof Spirit, and two Gallons of Water; and distil till the Faints begin to rise; fastening four Ounces and a Half ofEnglishSaffron tied in a Cloth to the End of the Worm, as directed in the preceding Recipe. Take Raisins stoned four Pounds and a Half; Dates three Pounds, Liquorice Root sliced two Pounds; digest these twelve Hours in two Gallons of Water; strain out the clear Liquor, add it to that obtained by Distillation, and dulcify the whole with fine Sugar.
Take of Raisins stoned five Pounds; Figs sliced one Pound and a Half; Cinnamon Half a Pound; Nutmegs three Ounces; Cloves and Mace, of each one Ounce and a Half; Liquorice two Pounds; Saffron four Ounces; bruise the Spices, slice the Liquorice, and pull the Saffron in pieces; digest these Ingredients eight Days in ten Gallons of Proof Spirit, in a Vessel close stoped; then filter the Liquor, and add to it two Gallons ofCanaryWine, and Half an Ounce of the Tincture of Ambergrease.
Take of Saffron three Ounces, of the essential Oil or Essence of Florentine Citron, Bergamot,PortugalOrange, and Lemon, of each a Hundred Drops; Angelica-seed, Vanellos and Mace, of each one Ounce and a Half; Cloves and Coriander-seed of each three Quarters of an Ounce; bruise the Seeds and Spices, and put all into an Alembic with eleven Gallons of Proof Spirit, and two Gallons of Water; and draw off with a gentle Fire till the Faints begin to rise, fastening to the Nose of the Worm four Ounces of Saffron in a Cloth. When the Operation is finished dulcify the Goods with fine Sugar.
These Waters are excellent Cephalic Cordials, and Alexipharmics; and are excelled by nothing in suddenly reviving the Spirits when depressed by Sickness,&c.