Smoking bishop

Smoking Bishop

Smoking Bishop is a type of mulled wine, punch or wassail that was popular in the Victorian era. It is made from port, red wine, lemons or Seville oranges, sugar and spices such as cloves and cinnamon. The drink is mentioned in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, where it is enjoyed by Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit.

History

The origins of Smoking Bishop are unclear, but it is believed to have been popular in England during the 19th century. The name "Smoking Bishop" is thought to come from the shape of the bowl in which it was traditionally served, which resembled a bishop's mitre. Other theories suggest that the name is a reference to the drink's rich, dark colour, which is similar to the colour of a bishop's robes.

Preparation

To prepare Smoking Bishop, port and red wine are heated with sugar, spices and the juice of Seville oranges or lemons. The mixture is then allowed to stand overnight before being reheated and served. The drink is traditionally served in a large bowl, and it is often consumed as a festive drink during the Christmas season.

In Literature

Smoking Bishop is famously mentioned in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. In the final scene of the novel, Ebenezer Scrooge invites his clerk, Bob Cratchit, to discuss a raise over a bowl of Smoking Bishop. This scene is often cited as an example of the transformation of Scrooge's character from a miser to a generous employer.

Variations

There are several variations of Smoking Bishop, including Smoking Archbishop (made with claret), Smoking Beadle (made with ginger wine), and Smoking Cardinal (made with champagne). These variations are less well-known than Smoking Bishop, but they are all part of the same family of mulled wines.

See Also

• Mulled Wine
• Wassail
• A Christmas Carol
• Charles Dickens

References

• Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. Chapman & Hall, 1843.
• Dickens, Cedric. Drinking with Dickens. Elvendon Press, 1980.
• Nott, John. The Cooks and Confectioners Dictionary. C. Rivington, 1723.

External Links

• Victorian London - Entertainment - Smoking Bishop
• BBC Food - Recipes - Smoking Bishop