The Story Behind The Bombo
A precursor to the Old Fashioned, the Bombo utilizes fresh grated nutmeg to bring aromatic spice to the picture. It also anticipates the use of bitters — tinctures in which herbs and spices are infused into high-proof neutral grain spirits — to add depth and dimension to a pour of a spirit.
Prior to the creation of this drink, spirits were typically consumed neat, and in rare cases, with a lump of sugar and ice to temper and mellow them. In the Bombo, we witnessed the first step toward the creation of a “true” cocktail.
This recipe originally appeared in the VinePair article, "Taste American History With Classic Rum Drinks and Contemporary Riffs," written by Shannon Mustipher.
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