With the 100th annual Lithuanian Day next weekend at the Schuylkill Mall, it's an nice time to talk about boilo--the high octane mulled alcoholic Lithuanian drink that has been served hot in the coal region for over 100 years.
In spite of its name, you don't "boil" boilo. Citrus fruits (oranges & lemons), herbs & spices (nutmeg, cloves, caraway seeds, anise seeds), honey, ginger ale, & traditional alcohol base (moonshine, blended whiskey, rye or grain alcohol) are slowly brewed on a stove top or slow cooker. You can see now why there were so many coal region house fires during the Depression Years.
Coal region old timers give "2 thumbs up" for boilo's throat-soothing & influenza-defeating properties. Miners who spent all day deep in a 50 degree coal mine would savor a small cup of hot boilo at the end of a long work day.
Boilo tasting competitions are increasing throughout the coal region where home brewers try to convince judges their recipe is the most authentic & easiest to drink. It's because of these competitions that we would never ask anyone to share their own unique boilo recipes.
Don't have the time or patience to brew boilo? Brokey's in Ringtown has a boilo mix in a packet. It's available online & at several locations throughout the coal region. Visit www.boilo.net or www.facebook.com/pages/Boilo/328781510562129 for more information.
Do you have a boilo story to share? We'd love to hear from you. Here's a salute to everyone involved in this year's 100th annual Lithuanian Day celebration. Watch for our special Lithuanian Day historical post next week.
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