rumdelinger

Rumdelinger is a term used in speculative fiction and some role-playing contexts to denote a ceremonial rum-based drink and the accompanying ritual of sharing it. The concept is not standardized across sources, and variations exist in different fictional settings, where rumdelinger may refer either to the beverage or to the ritual surrounding its distribution.

Etymology and origins: In-fiction etymology is variable; authors often blend a familiar English word with a suffix meant to evoke tradition or ceremony. Because rumdelinger is a fictional construct, no real-world linguistic origin is established.

Preparation and service: The beverage is typically a spiced dark rum infused with citrus, sugar, and warming spices such as cinnamon and clove. It is served in small cups or tanks and handed to participants in a clockwise sequence. A short blessing or proverb is often recited as the cup is passed, reinforcing camaraderie or alliance.

Cultural role: In world-building usage, rumdelinger serves as a social ritual that signals hospitality, trust, and mutual obligation. It can mark the beginning of negotiations, a demarcation of seasonal feasts, or a rite of passage for characters.

In media and games: The term appears sporadically in fantasy novels, role-playing game supplements, and fan glossaries, typically without a single canonical recipe or ceremony.

See also: Punch (drink), Toasts, Drinking rituals, Social rituals.