In the _Widdowes Treasure_, London, 1595, are receipts for _Sirrop of Roses_ or _Violets_, and two receipts for _Rosa Solis_, and in the _Good Housewife’s Jewele_, London, 1596, are receipts for distilling of _Rosemary water_, _Imperiall water_, _Sinamon water_, and the _Water of Life_. [Illustration] AMERICAN DRINKS. Cobblers—Cocktails—Flips, etc.—Punch—Varieties—A Bar Tender—Anstey’s _Pleader’s Guide_—A Yard of Flannel—Bottled Velvet—Rumfustian, etc. The great authority, probably the greatest authority, on this interesting subject is a gentleman who, with the true modesty of genius, allows himself to be known only by the pseudonym of _Jerry Thomas_. Formerly a bar-tender at the Metropolitan Hotel, New York, and the Planter’s House, St. Louis, he is said to have travelled over Europe and America in “search of all that is recondite in this branch of the spirit art.” His very name, says one of his admirers, is synonymous in the lexicon of mixed drinks with all that is rare and original. Among the chief American drinks are, being alphabetically arranged, _cobblers_, _cocktails_, _cups_, _flips_, _juleps_, _mulls_, _nectars_, _neguses_, _noggs_, _punches_—of which there are at least three score—_sangarees_, _shrubs_, _slings_, _smashes_, and _toddies_.[97] The _cobbler_ is an American invention, though now common in other countries. It requires small skill in its composition, but should be arranged to please the eye. Of this drink the straw is the leading characteristic. The _cocktail_ is a comparatively modern discovery. In this drink _Bogart’s Bitters_ occupies invariably a prominent place. The _Crusta_ is an improvement on the _cocktail_, and is said to have been invented by Santina, a celebrated Spanish caterer. Its _differentia_ is a small quantity of lemon juice and a little lump of ice. The paring of a lemon must also line the glass, from which feature it probably derives its name. _Flip_ has been immortalised by Dibdin as the favourite beverage of sailors, though it has been asserted that they seldom drink it; a somewhat hazardous statement, unless limited to the times in which there is none to be had. The essential feature in _a flip_ is repeated pouring between two vessels, supposed to produce smoothness in the drink. The Slang Dictionary holds _flip_ to be synonymous with _Flannel_, the old term for gin and beer drunk hot with nutmeg, sugar, etc., a play on the old name _lamb’s wool_. The anecdote of Goldsmith drinking _flannel_ in a night-house with George Parker, Ned Shuter, and the demure, grave-looking gentleman, is well known. [Illustration: MINT JULEP.]