Photo Credit - Unsplash/Lily Banse
Thousands of visitors flock to this famous port city every year to enjoy all the things that make it the south’s most historic vacation destination. With lush oak trees covered in Spanish moss, historic houses with wrought iron gates, and cobblestone streets, Savannah is simply the definition of southern beauty. It’s so beautiful, instead of burning it to the ground on his march to the sea, General Sherman gifted it to President Lincoln.
There’s so much to know about Savannah’s history, but one thing most visitors don’t know about the city until they get here is the infamous Chatham Artillery Punch. Yes a punch, also known in the bartending world as “the mortal enemy of despair”. Many restaurants in Savannah boast that they have the oldest, most original, or best rendition of the city’s famous punch. Notorious for being a “killer of time”, tourists can be see imbibing this cocktail while walking around on the cities cobblestone streets and squares taking advantage of historic Savannah’s popular open container policy.
There are several different versions of the history of this cocktail, all ending with the Chatham Artillery Punch being the only native cocktail to Savannah, Georgia. One of the most popular stories alludes that its origins can be traced back to 1791, with a tale including President George Washington himself. While it is a fact that the Chatham Artillery Punch is named after Georgia’s oldest military unit, there is no actual proof that George Washington sipped on this concoction during his presentation of two cannons to the outstanding servicemen of the Chatham Artillery. The latter would be known as fake news!
Many have found this punch to be a formidable concoction, definitely not for those who consider themselves lightweights. The Augusta Chronicle testified to its strength stating “as a vanquisher of men its equal has never been found.” The recipe for this punch can vary from establishment to establishment, but it’s come far along from a horse bucket filled with brandy, whiskey, rum, sugar, lemons and Champagne. Present day recipes include Madeira, Sherry, Catawba Wine, rye whiskey, gin, cognac, tea and a variety of fruit juices. This cocktail can also be prepared in individual or large format style, extra points for a vintage punch bowl!
While imbibing at one of my normal haunts in Savannah, The Alley Cat Lounge, I ordered a delightful interpretation of this drink. While reading their rendition of this cocktail’s history in their menu newspaper, I was inspired to write this article. I dare not divulge, but that was the beginning of an epic night that all began with the Chatham Artillery Punch.
