Who Wants Some Parsnip Wine? A Round of Drinks in 18th Century Ireland

The mid-to-late 17th century saw the introduction of tea, coffee, and chocolate into elite households in modern Europe. Initially considered medicinal in nature, these drinks were being consumed largely for pleasure by the 18th century. In Ireland and England, the rise in popularity of these fashionable beverages was closely mirrored by that of cordials and sweet wines. Restorative and therapeutic properties were attributed to cordials, the forerunners of modern liqueurs