A rum tot was naval slang for a ration of rum served to sailors during the aquatic vessel age of the planet Earth's Human civilization.
History and specifics[]
This drink was a ration of alcohol dispensed to sailors during the course of their daily duties, common through many of the navies of Europe and navies of colonies of English origin. Prior to the emergence of the Atlantic Ocean trade era of history, sailors were given a drink of beer as part of their daily rations, in some navies. Since beer could spoil and was difficult to store, the availability of rum from island trade became common. The rum tot could be served neat in a glass or mixed with water to become grog. Flavorings could be added, such as juice, or the drink could be mixed as a rum toddy.
Captain Morgan Bateson of the Federation Starfleet vessel USS Bozeman maintained an interest in old-style naval tradition, and took occasion to serve a rum tot to his bridge crew. The Bozeman crew shared a rum tot on the occasion of the arrival of two new officers, Mike Dennis and John Wolfe, in the 2270s decade. Captain Spock of the USS Enterprise was on hand to discuss the military situation in the Fries-Posnikoff sector, and shared in the toast without further comment about the unusual practice of drinking on the bridge. (TNG novel: Ship of the Line)