7 March: Poteen

On this date in 1997, Irish Revenue Commissioners allowed poteen to be sold legally in Ireland. 10 things you might not know about this drink:

1. Poteen is actually the anglicised word for the Irish name for the stuff, poitín, derived from the Irish word pota, meaning "pot", because it was traditionally distilled in one. Incidentally, the Irish word for a hangover is póit.

2. What is it? A traditional Irish distilled drink which may have been distilled three or four times. It is made from cereals, grain, whey, sugar beet, molasses and Potatoes.

3. It tends to have a grainy flavour with hints of Toffee. It has a high alcohol content, and quality could vary considerably from one still to another. Many families became known for their distilling expertise, but a bad batch could put a distiller out of business overnight.

4. Former common names for Poitín were "Irish moonshine" and "mountain dew".

5. In 1556 the British government made Poitín subject to licence, but it proved impossible to tax or restrict it, so it was banned completely.

6. The ban didn’t stop people from making it, however. It would generally be produced in remote rural areas, often on land boundaries so that ownership of the still would be unclear.

7. Production required a fire and the smoke would be a clue to passing police, so the distilling was done on windy days so that the smoke would disperse quickly.

8. Police were given a "britches allowance" to cover any damage done to their trousers while chasing moonshiners in remote country areas.

9. In 2008, Irish poitín was accorded (GI) Geographical Indicative Status by the EU Council and Parliament.

10. You can make cocktails with it. Google “Poteen cocktail recipes” and you’ll find loads of them including Michael Collins: Poteen, freshly squeezed Lemon Juice, Caster Sugar, soda water, ice, Marashino cherry, orange slice, lemon slice. Leprachaun: Poteen, 1/2 lime, 2oz. apple juice, 2oz. ginger ale. Mayo Mule: Poteen, cherry brandy, Galliano, Orange juice, ginger ale and ice. Sligo Sunbeam: Poteen, Grenadine and orange juice.