Whiskey... the flu...and you!

Winter is certainly upon us right now as we course seamlessly into a new year. It is frigid outside and I am thinking about winters in Ireland which are downright balmy compared to this. The cold is certainly taking a hold on people as there is a lot of sniffling and runny noses about the place.

Thankfully the H1N1 flu shots are starting to make appearances around these parts and I will be lining up for my own one soon enough. Along with the regular flu shot and a dose of vitamins every morning I am hoping I have things covered.

So as I was thinking about colds, flu, chesty coughs and the like recently, I was also thinking back to times past when there was no quick-fix jab to the arm. Monks used whiskey as medicine (before the locals found better uses for it), and to this day in many homes the best cure is a small drop of the crathur (whiskey).

A ‘Hot Toddy’ is one of the best concoctions to put together for a runny nose or a cold, and after a good night’s rest in the bed you should be right as rain in the morning. It is as simple as boiling up the kettle, scalding a cup with hot water, adding a good spoon of honey, an even better shot of Irish whiskey (I like to use Power’s), top up with hot water, add a slice of lemon that has been studded with about 5 cloves and sit back and take in the lovely aroma. Then, drink it slowly and feel your fever fade away.

Now if you are suffering from a sore throat then I have the answer to that too, courtesy of my Kosovan sister-in-law. She likes to make ‘Whiskey Socks’. What, pray you ask, are whiskey socks? Whatever they are I can vouch for them working. My brother has always had the misfortune for developing severe sore throats, but now he has access to a quick cure.

For this remedy you will need one long footballer’s sock, preferably about 2ft long and freshly laundered! Pour a about a pint of whiskey into a bowl and then soak the sock in the lovely liquid. Squeeze out any excess whiskey into a glass (no need to waste it!). Put the bowl, with the sock still in it, into the microwave and heat for a minute or two. Be very careful as you don’t want to cause an explosion. When the sock is ready, sit the patient down, wrap the sock around their neck like a scarf and have them drink the glass of whiskey. An early night and they should be up in the morning as fit as a fiddle.

So now I have given you two excellent remedies for the winter blues but don’t blame me if you get the flu, I’m not a doctor, go get yourself that quick fix-jab.

Sláinte,

Denis