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The Screech Story

Long before any liquor board was created to take alcohol under its benevolent wing, Demerara rum was a mainstay of the Newfoundland diet, with salt fish traded to the West Indies in exchange for rum. When the Government took control of the traditional liquor business in the early 20th century, it began selling the rum in an unlabelled bottle. The product might have remained permanently nameless except for the influx of American servicemen to the Island during World War II.

As the story goes, Barrel of Screechthe commanding officer of the original detachment was having his first taste of Newfoundland hospitality and, imitating the custom of his host, downed his drink in one gulp. The American’s blood-curdling howl, when he regained his breath, brought the sympathetic and curious from miles around rushing to the house to find out what was going on.

The first to arrive was a garrulous old American sergeant who pounded on the door and demanded, "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?"

The taciturn Newfoundlander who had answered the door replied simply, "The Screech? ‘Tis the rum, me son."

Thus was born a legend. As word of the incident spread, the soldiers, determined to try this mysterious "Screech" and finding its effects as devastating as the name implies, adopted it as their favourite.

The opportunistic liquor board pounced on the name and reputation and began labeling Newfoundland Screech, the most popular brand on the Island, even today (nowadays they use Jamaican rum).

Screech Recipes

Old Fashioned

Newfie Night-cap

 Muffled Screech

 Newfie Bullet

 French Connection

Old Faithful

A mainstay for me and my buddies growing up in the Breezeway. I now live in Calgary and for the past 16 years have had a bottle to access at all times to mix with the vitamin C. It's a healthy drink and we know how people want healthy drinks today.

Submitted by: John Meaney

The best(?) Screech recipe is:

(OK, we weren't very discriminating, and the shop didn't have a large selection...)

Submitted by: Heather Oppenheimer

Screech Martini
 

Pour 1-1/2 oz. Screech into a Martini glass, previously chilled or on the rocks. Uncork the Martini bottle and wave the cork over the Martini glass being sure that no more than one drop from the Martini bottle gets into the Martini glass. Add the 2 peeled grapes and drink in one gulp without swallowing the grapes. Follow up with grapes as a chaser. Be sure to chew carefully. Do not confuse the ice cubes with the peeled grapes.

(Other fruit can be substituted - bananas and large melons do not fit well into the glass.)
 

Dry Screech Martini

Follow the same recipe as above but uncork the Martini bottle in the next room away from the Martini glass. Sniff the cork before returning to drink the dry Martini. Watch out for the lumps. Hard means ice, soft means grapes. None means you already drank the Martini (usually refers to the 3rd and 4th Martini.)

Submitted by: Bob Carswell
 

Green Newf

Layer in a shooter style glass.

Submitted by: Pil

Here's a recipe that can be served as a shot or with milk for those who enjoy sipping or can't handle the stuff.

Green Newfie Gone Bananas
 

Or just double up on these servings and add milk. It tastes like a White Russian only better!

 
Submitted by: Wade Loder and Jason Churchill

Kry-Screech

Stir and add ice. Ice must go in glass first, then add the Screech and then drizzle with Avon Apple Juice. Garnish with a slice of lemon and hold tight!

Submitted by: Darrell N. Baker

 

Christmas Cheer

Stir and add ice.

Submitted by: Mark O'Brien

 

 

Moose Milk:

 

 

Submitted by: Zelma Kelly

  

If you have a favourite Screech recipe, let us know and we'll add it to the page.
 
 
 

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