Posca beverage

Many poorer Romans drank wine-based beverage posca, a mixture of water and sour wine, wine that had spoiled but had not turned into vinegar.

Technically it was as much “wine” as the diluted wine served at a convivium or symposium.

Water of the time was often undrinkable, spoiled by dangerous bacteria. Spiking water with soured wine was a way to sterilize the water while, reusing wine that would otherwise be wasted.

Posca can provided calories and hydration, and vitamin C in the vinegar, was an antiscorbutic, meaning it prevent scurvy.

Soldiers from many cultures sipped it to increase strength and stamina and to stave off disease.
Posca beverage