The French region of Bordeaux produced vast quantities of wine known as claret, which was exported and sold in England. Fruit and spice enhanced claret beverages were known as Claret Cups, and were very popular in England at the turn of the 18th century. Wherever the English traveled, their beloved beverage recipe followed. “Claret Cup” was pronounced “clericót” by the French, and spelled “clericó” in Spain, and eventually appeared in Latin America. Clericó has become the term for a fruit enhanced wine drink enjoyed during the holidays in Colombia and Argentina. In this Colombian recipe, hard apple cider takes the place of grape wine.
