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MIXED DRINKS.
land from malt liquors and given the flavor of French
brandy by artificial means.
Eum has always been eminently an American pro
duct, the most esteemed varieties being made in the
West Indies and named for the place of manufacture;
as,Jamaica rum,Granada,Antigua or Santa Cruz rum.
It is also made in New England and other sections
where sugar cane is cultivated. The spirit is distilled
from the juice of the cane,or the refuse left after sugar-
making,and often from the pure molasses.
Whisky seems to be the most favored drink in
America for purposes of stimulation and in uncertain
moments when one is undecided as to what to take.
Though beer, iced wines,fancy mixed drinks, etc., are
often taken to quench thirst or merely for sociability,
whisky is generally regarded by steady drinkers as the
purest and most reliable drink. They appear to know
good whisky by the taste of it.
The name whisky oi-iginated with the Celtic inhabi
tants ofIreland and Scotland who called it uisge-beatha,
usquebaugh, (water of life.) It is said to have first
been known in England during the reign of Henry II.,
but it was probably introduced into Ireland from India
many years previously. The Red Book of Ossory,com-