Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thirsty Work.

A little story today on a very important topic.

Australians are romantically attached to the idea of the Outback, even though most have never been there - in the same way, I expect, as a lot of Americans are about their Frontier. Everyone has heard of the The Royal Flying Doctor Service - it is part of the national identity. It was established in 1928, and continues to provide an invaluable service to isolated communities and homesteads. I have a book – undated, perhaps from the late 1950’s or 1960’s – produced as a fundraiser by the Women’s Auxiliary of the RFDS, Air Branch, Alice Springs.

It gets thirsty out in the Bush.

Ginger Beer.
4 cups sugar, 4 cups hot water, 1 dessertspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon tartaric acid, juice 3 lemons, 20 cups cold water.
Stir sugar, hot water, ginger, and tartaric acid till dissolved. Add lemon juice and cold water. Strain and bottle.
Drop 3 sultanas in each bottle and seal. Let stand for at least 4 days.
Chill, and use when gas begins to form in bottle.

Orange Squash.
Rind and juice of 8 medium sized oranges, 4 lbs. sugar, 2 pints boiling water, 2 oz. tartaric acid, 1 oz citric acid, 1 oz. Epsom Salts.
Put ingredients in china basin, pour over boiling water and stir until sugar dissolves. Cool and bottle.

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