#39 Cocktail: Blow My Skull Off

    People down in Australia were also quaffing drinks like their fellows back in United States or England during the first half of the nineteenth century and mid-nineteenth century gold rush. At least one drink with a very strange name was being fashioned for prospectors. "Spiers & Pond: A Memorable Australian Partnership", a short nonfiction account by Phillip Andrew, details the circumstances:

     In the early 1850's there were no licensed inns on the fields. Consequently the sly grog trade had assumed enormous proportions. Weird were the drinks. One famous one, retailed at half a crown a wine glass, was known as " Blow-my-skull-off"[It was made of Cocculus indicus, a poison berry found in Ceylon, that was used to increase the potency of ale and porter], spirit of wine, Turkey opium, Cayenne pepper and rum mixed with five parts of water. One good stir and it was ready for the table. A couple of good swings and the mounted police turned out, hit everyone they could see until the brawl reached the proportions of a riot

2 ounces cognac

1/2ounce peach schnapps

1/2 ounce Jaggermeister