Heel-Broth

[Doug Irvine]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what heel-broth is? I was reading a book about Dr. Cream, when when I came across this passage, "To her he offered what he called an "American drink" - a term which, in the British Isles, has always been practically synonymous with heel-broth". The author goes on to state that " This is not unreasonable when one remembers the perversions of the cocktail which used to be offered at "American" bars in London and Paris". A quick search of the INTERNET for heel-broth took me to sight for soups. So now I am confused is heel-broth a soup or a cocktail? Any help the matter would be greatly appreciated

[Phil Carter]

Hello Doug,

I have never heard of Heel-broth as a cocktail either.
Maybe it is a misprint for Hell-broth, an Ameican cocktail?

I haven't the foggiest..but worth a punt?

best wishes

Phil

[Stephen Thomas]

From Brewer in 1898

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvs4bOMv5Xw

[Stephen Thomas]

Whoops, sorry wrong link

http://www.bartleby.com/81/8135.html

[cappuccina]

Remember, back then a strong beef bouillon made from boiling whatever meat/cow parts one could get a hold of was called "beef tea", and served in cups to pregnant and anemic women to give them more iron...

I think this is a similar reference; the broth would have been served in a cup, rather than a bowl...

Article from the New York Times in 1880 on the benefits/uses of "Beef Tea"...

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9506E7D81131EE3ABC4952DFB766838B699FDE

[Archaic]

Hi Doug.

Cappucina is correct. "Heel-Broth" is an old term for "Cow Heel Broth", created by boiling... you guessed it...Cow heels, hocks, that kind of thing.

It was often recommended for children and invalids. I saw a recipe book from the 1920's or 30's that still used the term; at first I wondered if they were talking about boiling shoe-leather!

I think I'd rather drink Hell-Broth.

Best regards,
Archaic

[Archaic]

1882 Recipe: Cow-Heel Broth

Hello again Doug.

Here's a recipe for Cow-Heel Broth from an 1882 cookbook. It was under a chapter titled "Cheap Cookery".
It reminds you to take the hair off the foot first.

Bottoms up!

Archaic

[cappuccina]

Yummmmmmmm!! (Bleccchhh!! )

Thank you, Archaic!

[Celesta]

At least it wasn't head-cheese. Too disgusting to contemplate.

[Livia]

I think the modern equivalent might be beef consomme, which has a sort of gelatinous consistency to it.

[cappuccina]

Yes, that and/or a strong beef stock....

[Doug Irvine]

I thank you all for your responses. It does seem strange to me that he could induce his victims to drink, what must have been, cold soup. Wouldn't it be easier to get his victims to drink some sort of alcohol? Though I suppose the fact that it was non-alcoholic might allay any suspicions that he might be trying to take advantage of them. He could also have used the ploy that he was a doctor and it was for medicinal purposes.

[cappuccina]

Remember though for women in the East End who were near starvation and severely lacking in protein and were more than likely very anaemic as well, this would have almost been a treat....seriously....

This was one of the "extra rations" they gave the elderly, pregnant women and severely ill people in the work/poorhouses...