User:Kani Ripley/sandbox

Kani Ripley (talk) 17:05, 2 December 2017 (UTC)The Story of "Bum Rum"

Bum Rum is a slang term for a drink created out of necessity to survive the ice storm of 2006.

This storm, one of the largest on record, left over 200,000 people in southwest Missouri without power or the ability to leave their homes for several days. The National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri reported there were 1 1/2" of ice accumulation during this storm.

Outside it was still, dead silent, except for the cracking, popping and breaking of huge limbs from the weight of the ice. There were no utilities so people that used gas or wood to heat their homes could stay warm but, others were not as fortunate.

During this time, a flu outbreak made it impossible for people in the area to get out for medications. One victim from Ozark Missouri, Connie Canaday started thinking about how in the 50s her grandma would make her own throat soothing elixir of honey, whiskey, and lemon juice. The honey would coat the throat, the lemon helped with mucous and the whiskey would help you sleep.

Unable to leave the house she started scouring through the cabinets to make her grandmas recipe, but all she could come up with was Vodka and root beer and she gave it a try.

This concoction worked for calming the cough because root beer had the flavor that was very pleasant and the Vodka soothed the throat, break up the mucus and helped to rest.

One thing Connie discovered was that the Vodka and Rootbeer had the flavor of Rum! So, it was named "Bum Rum" after the fact she had to scrounge around to find anything that might work for her flu-like symptoms.

To this day "Bum Rum" is a favorite in the household as an evening cocktail and has made its way into the hearts of some local bars in the area, and people across the country including some American Territories.