This fizzy feijoa ferment recipe is another great way to fully utilise your feijoa harvest. When you have scooped out the feijoa flesh for your favourite recipes (see bottom for some of my favourites) or to freeze for later indulgence, use the skins to make a fizzy fermented drink. I must admit I was a bit sceptical to start with but it really is delicious. Fill a large jar (1-2 litres) with feijoa skins. Add 1 tbsp of sugar per litre. The sugar is used up during the fermenting process. Fill … [Read more...]
Fennel Liqueur and Fennel Shrub Recipes
I am always excited by finding new and different things to make with plants in my garden, and these two Fennel recipes (Fennel Liqueur and Fennel Shrub) use up the whole plant - which is even better. And I love the anise or liquorice flavour. Wild Fennel Liqueur is made traditionally in southern Italy using wild fennel that grows in the hills. Using freshly picked herbs, it gives a fresh-tasting liqueur that also helps digestion. I used Florence or Bulb Fennel that I had growing in my … [Read more...]
Healthy Herbal Coffee & Chocolate Alternatives
I’ve always found coffee to be a bit hard on my digestive system and only very occasionally have a decaf coffee. I love drinking tea (see some of my earlier posts on Chai blends and Earl Grey Teas) but sometimes I feel like something that is more ‘full-bodied’ but still healthy. I’ve recently become interested in exploring herbs (see My Unexpected Journey into Herbalism) for both health and flavour. I’m certainly not ready to drink something simply because it is good for me, so making sure … [Read more...]
Wild Apple Cider Recipe
I have always loved the idea of making cider completely from scratch from my own apples. I was put off this for a while because I thought you had to have specific cider apples that are different from the sweeter eating apples. But then I saw a recipe in the NZ Gardener magazine for apple cider that you could make with cooking apples (or by adding a few crabapples if you only had sweet eating apples). I had a good crop of apples this year so it was a great opportunity to try something new. I … [Read more...]
My Favourite Earl Grey Tea Blends
In my earlier post My Unexpected Journey into Herbalism, I touched on making teas and how, when I started making gin, along with my still, I of course needed to get a supply of the necessary botanicals. Once I had those botanicals lined up in glass jars I realised that many of them could be used in making teas as well. So I invested in an online course on blending herbal teas – much more interested at that stage in the flavour combination aspects than any particular health dimension. My … [Read more...]
Elderberry Gin & Elderberry Liqueur Recipes
In my last post I shared recipes for making Elderflower Gin & Elderflower Liqueur. This time I share recipes for Elderberry Gin & Elderberry Liqueur that involve infusing elderberry and other flavours into your choice of gin or vodka. I'm certainly not claiming that drinking alcohol is healthy but if you are drinking alcohol, you might as well drink something that contains at least some health benefits. Elderberries help maintain normal, healthy functioning of our immune system and to … [Read more...]
Elderflower Gin & Elderflower Liqueur Recipes
If you are lucky enough to have elderflowers in your garden and want to try making something a bit different from elderflower cordial and elderflower syrup, it is very easy to make delicious elderflower-infused gins or liqueurs. Below I share some of the different variations I've tried. Elderflower-infused Gin 1L your gin of choice 1/3 cup dried elderflowers Leave to steep for 2-3 weeks, then strain out the flowers. Elderflower & Lemon Gin 1L your gin of choice 5g dried … [Read more...]
My Unexpected Journey into Herbalism
When I decided to start making my own gin I never thought that it would start me on an unexpected journey into herbalism. Nor did I ever think that getting Long Covid would accelerate me along that path. You will have realised from my blog that I love growing things and turning them into food, drinks and more, preserving nature's bounty and transforming it into items to be enjoyed with others. Initially that was via the more common methods of making jams, pickles and cordials; along with … [Read more...]
Homemade Dubonnet Recipe
Dubonnet is one of those somewhat old-fashioned drinks that I heard about when I was first old enough to drink but never really made it to my glass. Queen Elizabeth's favourite drink was reportedly a Gin & Dubonnet (and the Queen Mother's as well). What is Dubonnet? It is a sweet, fruity, aromatic wine-based aperitif with a thick, almost syrupy texture, that is a blend of fortified wine, herbs, and spices. It is similar-ish to sweet vermouth (and perhaps campari): a touch sweet, a little … [Read more...]
Homemade Ginger Liqueur Recipe
I have recently been making a range of different fruit liqueurs with my homemade neutral spirits and fruit from my garden. Whilst not a fruit, I definitely couldn't go past trying a homemade Ginger Liqueur recipe when harvesting my ginger this year. This recipe certainly has a good level of gingery spiciness but the vanilla and orange, along with the brandy, add complexity and mellowness to the flavour. It is very definitely more-ish. 100g fresh ginger root 1 vanilla bean 1 cup … [Read more...]
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