Supplies:
Fermenting Jar (local brew store or a large jar with stopper and fermentation air-lock) (size will depend on how much you make)
You can make small batches in a 1/2 gallon mason jar with a recap lid, stopper and fermentation lock) this is flexible! use what you have don't go buy a bunch of stuff unless you really think you wanna do more.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) (fresh plant, you will need large amounts depending on how much you make)
Stock Pot
Apple Pie Spice or other sweet spices like cinnamon.
Local or at least Organic Wildflower Honey
Redstar (red package) wine yeast.
(UPDATE: I have gone on to use difference kinds of yeast experiment with this as well)
Book:
I made this recipes based on this book: Sacred Herbal and Healing Beers. By Stephen Buhner. Please support his work! It is awesome and there are tons of other things in there besides just recipes!!
Start with a large amount of Lemon Balm (Melissa Off.) in a large stock pot. Cover with filtered water and let decoct (lid off) on a low temperature until it is reduced by half. Add some Apple pie spice and a little Cinnamon or maybe Ginger?? have fun with it!
Pour off liquid and recycle plant material (compost do not throw away!!!)
Use 3 parts of the liquid to 1 part honey.
Add your honey in (after you strained the mixture and it cools a little) and let the honey mix up well with mixture (stir, stir stir, do not heat the honey too much)
After you have mixed the honey, let cool to about 70 degrees and add yeast. (you don't have to use what I did, you can use whatever yeast you want).
Add this mixture to your fermenting vessel. make sure there is not too much head room.
After about 30-40 days you can decant it (rack it). Place it in another bottle and allow it to finish it. If you choose you can drink it 'green' but they are better as time goes on. Get Stephen's book listed above and make your own creation! For me this was very successful and I am still enjoying it! :D
Enjoy!!! Here was the finished product! Taste Yummy!
UPDATE: I have gone on to make Elderberry, Goldenrod, Hawthorn and Rose, Dandelion, and MANY MANY MORE!! Great thing to go make and have fun!!
Want to more about about herbs or other services I offer? Go to www.mawmawkelli.com
