Oxymel is a method of preparing herbs that dates back to ancient Greece. An oxymel consists of honey and vinegar; sweet and sour.
From ancient times, there is documentation that oxymel was made with a larger amount of honey than vinegar. Today, it is common to use half honey and half vinegar.
half vinegar. But there are also those who prefer more honey and those who want a larger amount of vinegar. This is entirely a matter of taste and there is no right or wrong.
When I'm done with my oxymel, I usually taste it and maybe add a little more honey or vinegar. Personally, I like it sweet, but there are those who prefer a more sour oxymel. 
Since oxymel is a delicate way to prepare herbs, it can be a support in getting herbs that we don't think taste so good. Oxymels can therefore also help picky children to take herbs. Many people today are not used to bitter tastes, so an oxymel can be a nice way to make use of herbs with, for example, a lot of bitter substances. But we can also make oxymels from things that are already dreamily delicious. Every summer I make an oxymel of strawberry and rose. It is lovely to take a spoonful of this a day and be filled with summer feelings! The color becomes a beautiful deep pink and in terms of taste, rose and strawberry marry so nicely.
Make an oxymel
Here is a suggestion on how an oxymel can be made.
You can play around with the proportions of vinegar and honey yourself. Fill a well-cleaned glass jar about halfway with herbs. Use fresh or dried herbs. Assume that you will need to use more fresh herbs than if you choose dried herbs.
Add about 1/3 of the honey. Gradually add the vinegar, while stirring. Fill the jar and put on a lid. The underside of the lid needs to be plastic. If you have a metal lid, you can place a small piece of parchment paper between the lid and the glass jar.
Let stand for a month before straining. Shake the jar regularly. For me, it's
It's fun to make oxymels and I like to flavor them with spices like cinnamon and cardamom. I think of herbal oxymels as kitchen magic!
It is best to store your finished oxymel in the refrigerator. 
Oxymel with fresh berries
In addition to strawberries, I have made oxymel with fresh sloe berries and elderberries. Here too, you get oxymels with great beauty in terms of color. The aesthetic aspect of working with herbal preparations fascinates me endlessly!
When making oxymel with fresh berries, it is good to simmer them for a while to
to remove some water. This is to extend the shelf life. Elderberries should also always be heated before consumption, to remove certain substances that irritate the intestines. I usually measure out about 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 honey in two separate containers.
So I simmer the berries in the vinegar for 20-30 minutes. Strain the berries and let cool. Pour in the honey and mix well.
Again; you can, for example, add more honey if you want.
Welcome to the rich, creative, tasty world of oxymels!
Text: Sara Bonadea George
