The Smoking Bishop

A Dickensian Delight: The Smoking Bishop

Charles Dickens, the literary mastermind behind “A Christmas Carol,” immortalized the Smoking Bishop, a drink that found its place in the heart of holiday traditions. In Dickens’ tale, the character Ebenezer Scrooge is graciously offered this aromatic concoction by his nephew Fred as a gesture of goodwill and festive merriment. The very name “Smoking Bishop” pays homage to the rich color of the mulled wine, reminiscent of a bishop’s robe, and the comforting warmth it imparts.

In 1843, Dickens released his iconic holiday story, marking a period of renewed British Christmas customs. The mid-19th century witnessed the inception of modern practices like exchanging Christmas cards, adorning Christmas trees, and singing Christmas carols. Within this festive renaissance, Dickens vividly portrayed the Christmas spirit, capturing a moment when Scrooge pledges to discuss business matters with Bob Cratchit and his family over a bowl of the cherished Smoking Bishop.

The Original Recipe

The Smoking Bishop’s original recipe weaves a delightful tapestry of flavors, harmonizing port wine, oranges (or lemons), and sugar without overwhelming sweetness. Eliza Acton, the author of Britain’s inaugural cookbook in 1845, described the recipe with a touch of culinary artistry. She guided enthusiasts to make incisions in a lemon’s rind, insert cloves, and roast it gently over a fire. A saucepan dance followed, combining cinnamon, cloves, mace, allspice, and ginger with water, reducing the mixture. Simultaneously, a bottle of port wine was gently heated, with a portion of alcohol burning off. The roasted lemon and spices joined the wine, infusing near the fire for ten minutes. The final act involved rubbing sugar knobs on lemon peel, squeezing in fresh lemon juice, grating nutmeg, sweetening to taste, and serving with the lemon and spices afloat in the beverage.

Crafting New Traditions

While the traditional recipe holds a special place in our hearts, the beauty of the Smoking Bishop lies in its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with ingredients and ratios to create your own signature version. Some enthusiasts even add a touch of brandy or rum for an extra kick.

Here’s a simple recipe to bring your version the Smoking Bishop to life:

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 bottles of red wine
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 to 8 whole cloves
• 1 to 2 oranges (studded with cloves)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 cup of port wine

Instructions:

1. Pour the red wine into a large pot and heat it gently.
2. Add the sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and studded oranges to the pot.
3. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes.
4. Before serving, add the port wine for an extra layer of richness.