A Cordial Julep.
Take Waters of Baulm, Black Cherries, each 3 ounces; of Barly Cinnamon 2 ounces; Epidemial 1 ounce and half; of Piony compound, Syrup of Gillyflowers, each 1 ounce; Syrup of Lemons half an ounce; Confection of Alkermes 4 scruples, mix.
As soon as these sorts of Spiritous Cordials come to touch upon the Stomach; yea sometimes as soon as ever tasted in the Mouth, they exert their Virtues; for by a grateful appulse they refresh and restore the Spirits waiting in the first Rooms, or Porch, as 'twere the of Body. And then these Spirits affecting others contiguous to them, and they likewise others successively onward, the pleasing Ovation undulates, in a trice, through the whole System of the Sensitive Soul: And so the Brain and Praecordia being recruited and irradiated with a full Influx of exulting Spirits, perform their Business of Vital Functions, with a new Briskness, and fresh Alacrity; and the Pulse, that lay before weak and wavering, rouseth up, falls a vibrating lustily, and drives round the Wheel of Life vigorously.
But this same ascititious Vigour, wholly depending upon the meer Blast of so fleeting and fugitive a thing, as Spirit of Wine, is found false and fading, and flies off in a moment: And then the poor Sick Man (his fine Julep nothing availing) falls sadly back into his late sick Fits and Languors.
Upon this Consideration (if the common Custom of Practice would permit) I should willingly, in place of these little deceitful Juleps, substitute your generous Electuaries, which being rich with Aromatic Oils, would not soon go off the Stomach, but by their gratifying Warmth, and delectable Effluvia, would put as much Joy and Exultation in the Spirits, for the present, as the customary Juleps could, and would continue so to do, a great deal longer than the best of 'em can pretend to.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710