Name: Earl of Arundel's posset
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 100 ml Oloroso sherry; 100 ml ale; 130 g light muscovado sugar; 500 ml single cream; 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg; Sprinklings of freshly grated nutmeg

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Earl of Arundel's posset

Whether this rather rich, warm drink was created by, or for, the Earl of Arundel is not clear. It is also not stated which Earl of Arundel favoured it. It can be assumed that the recipe was created before 1627 when the title of Earl of Arundel was transferred to the Duke of Norfolk. A recipe appears in The Complete Cook by W.M in 1658 with instructions on how ‘to make a Posset, the Earle of Arundels Way’.

Equipment

2 saucepans
6 heat-proof glasses

Preparation method

Place the sherry, ale and sugar in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Immediately remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Place the cream and nutmeg in the other saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat until the cream is gently simmering.
Pour the sherry and ale mixture into the cream and continue to simmer very gently for an hour, whisking regularly, or until really thick.
Pour into heat proof glasses and sprinkle with a little freshly grated nutmeg.

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