This drink was invented for a christening of a baby girl, Johanna Theodora Katharina, on Nordstrand Island on the 29th of February, 1872. Pastor Gustav Beyer was very strict and always berating his flock their for godless drinking. In order to avoid his wrath, the congregation served a drink made with rum and coffee. The whipped cream on top kept the rum aroma from wafting through the air and upsetting the pastor, who received plain coffee with whipped cream. However, at some point, the good man got a whiff of what was going on behind his back and cried out, "Ihr Pharisäer!" or "You Pharisees!" referring to the sect which heckled Jesus in the Temple.
Serves 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 portion strong coffee (2 - 4 oz.)
- Sugar cubes
- 1 jigger dark, Jamaican rum (about 40 ml, 1 1/2 oz.)
- Whipped cream
Preparation:
This coffee drink is traditionally served in a large glass tumbler with a saucer made for this drink. If you can't find this cup, use a coffee cup as in the photo.
Fill the cup with coffee, sweeten to taste with the sugar cubes, then add the rum. Place whipped cream on top and serve immediately.
Traditionally, you are not supposed to stir this drink, but sip it through the whipped cream. If you stir it, you may be required to buy a round of drinks.
Interesting note: In 1981, a Flensburg court decided that 2 cl (20 ml, less than an ounce) of rum is not adequate for a Pharisäer.
