Hawthorn Elixir | Recipe

Don't miss these amazing berries that grow so abundantly in our latitudes. Hawthorn berries (Crataegus spp.) are ready to be picked in central Sweden around October. Hawthorn is edible and not poisonous. They are delicious for making your own ELIXIR. Here is our recipe.

Hawthorn is used as a tonic for the heart. It is used for heart problems and is sold as a medicine in Sweden. To quote herbalist David Hoffmann, "Hawthorn is a tonic in its true sense. Hawthorn can be considered a specific remedy for most cardiovascular diseases." It is also used as emotional support for broken hearts. A true heart berry, in other words. You can easily find out what hawthorn is good for by searching for the berry. Hawthorn has been widely used throughout history, especially in northern Europe. There are many beautiful myths about hawthorn.

In this recipe, we have used freshly picked hawthorn berries, but you can also use dried berries. Always make sure you pick the right berries! There are hundreds of species of hawthorn, so it can be difficult to know which one you have. And... hawthorn is not the same as sea buckthorn. The different types of hawthorn will ripen at different times. The berries should be deep red or dark purple. Ripe berries taste a bit like overripe apple.

Recipe:

The base of this recipe is hawthorn, honey, and vodka. I have flavored it with various spices and herbs. Vary as you see fit. You can replace the vodka with just honey, but the shelf life will decrease.

♡ 3 dl fresh hawthorn

♡ 1 dl honey (raw) or more depending on taste

♡ 6 dl vodka

Flavoring

2 tsp hibiscus flowers

2 tsp grated ginger

6 cardamom pods

2 cinnamon sticks

1 vanilla bean

Here's how to do it:

Place hawthorn and flavoring in a sterilized container. Add the honey and then fill with vodka. Make sure to use a container that fits the amount of liquid. Stir so that the honey mixes. Place the container in a kitchen cupboard (it should be dark) for 3-4 weeks. Shake the container daily. When you are satisfied, strain the elixir and pour it into a beautiful bottle.

Take the elixir daily or why not give it as a Christmas gift to someone who needs a little heart support.