A celebratory drink

[HetHert]

I was just watching a special on The Helen. Or Helen of Sparta. They were trying to show how Hellen lived out her life and the times that she was born into and lived in.

They got to a feast part of the Gamos of Helen's marriage. Archaeologists were able to reconstruct a specialized drink that would have been imbibed during the celebration. It consists of retsina (official drink of greece which is a wine mixed with pine resin), honey mead, and beer. The parts of mixture is unknown. But this came from studying the residue left in bowls that had been found in a dig. I found it quite a tantalizing little peice of history that would be worthy of adding to any reconstruction.

I'm considering trying this mix myself for a celebration...

Has anyone else tried this? Or heard of it?

[_Banbha_]

Given the popularity of the beverage aspect of reconstructionism, I'm surprized not more replies! :drool: :lol: It must be the retsina. :foh:

When I think about it...were the beer, honey mead and wine blended for religious symbolism or because straight wine was only affordable to the wealthly? I don't remember if that special said where the bowls where found.

I saw another special that focused on the diet and culinary traditions of Ancient Greece once, including religious rites, I'm sure there is more material avalible. I did a quick google and it was loaded with modern intrepretations and not too much from archaeologists. It's got to be out there though...:)