Herbal Oxymels

Mar 3

How to make a collection of flavorful herbal oxymels - both a medicinal powerhouse and a delicious mocktail base.

“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before consuming.

What is an oxymel?

Oxymel is an ancient herbal elixir comprising three key components – vinegar, honey, and herbs. This method of herbal extraction offers a pleasant and potent alternative to traditional tea, falling between the strength of tea and tinctures. The result is a delightful elixir that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a versatile drink base.

They offer a range of health benefits owing to the properties of their key ingredients. Vinegar provides acidity and may aid digestion, honey adds sweetness and has antimicrobial properties, while herbs contribute specific medicinal properties. These combined effects make oxymels a versatile remedy for immune support, digestive health, and overall wellness.

How to Use Oxymels:

Take a spoonful! Perfect for an Elderberry Oxymel during cold and flu season.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of Oxymel to sparkling water for a healthy mocktail. Perfect before a meal to get digestive juices flowing! These mocktails are so delicious that my friend Kari says “This is better than something I’d expect from a restaurant!”
Increase your hydration by adding a splash to flavor your water.
Enhance your tea with a splash of oxymel for a sweet and tangy twist.
Add some extra virgin olive oil to use as a flavorful and nutritious salad dressing.
Incorporate into marinades for meats to add depth of flavor.
Drizzle over fresh fruit or ice cream for an exciting sweet and tangy enhancement.

The adaptability of oxymels allows users to experiment with different ratios to suit personal preferences.

Basic Oxymel Recipe

Makes 24 Servings | Prep Time: 1 Minute | Extraction Time: 2-6 weeks

Ingredients

1 cup DRIED herbs
1-1.5 cups raw apple cider vinegar
1-1.5 cups raw local honey

Supplies

32 oz mason jar & plastic lid
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jar or Bottle for Storage
(16oz swing-top bottles)

Directions

In a 32 oz mason jar, add approximately 1 cup of herbs
Fill the rest of the jar with roughly equal parts of apple cider vinegar and honey
Cover tightly with a plastic lid, or if using a metal ring put a piece of parchment paper between the ring and jar to prevent rust.

Set aside on a counter and shake every day or so.
Let the mixture infuse for a few weeks. It can be ready to use in as little as 2 weeks, but the flavor and extraction strength are most potent closer to that 6-week mark.
When ready to use, strain out the herbs by placing a fine mesh strainer over a clean bowl and pouring the mixture from the jar through it. You will likely get between 16 and 20 oz of liquid after straining.
Taste your mixture and adjust the honey and vinegar ratios for flavor preference. For example, I like to add extra honey if used primarily for mocktail bases.
Store the filtered oxymel in a clean, tightly sealed glass jar. Keep in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. These can last several months to a year or more when stored properly (but they’re so delicious you’ll use them up long before that!)

What to do with the spent herbs after straining?

You could simply discard or compost. But I like to get every last drop of use out of these herbs!

After straining out the oxymel, add the spent herbs to a saucepan with 1-2 cups of filtered water and bring to a light boil. This will extract the last little bit of vinegar and honey residue from the herbs. Strain out the herbs once more and store the remaining liquid in a jar in the fridge to use within 4 days. Use it as a liquid ingredient in recipes, mocktails, teas, or lattes. It’s delicious!

Can you use fresh herbs and roots?

Yes, but they contain moisture content, which shortens the shelf life of the oxymel and can more easily create mold. If you are going to use fresh ingredients, I suggest doing a base mixture that is 2 parts vinegar to 1 part honey, along with your herbs. You may need to burp your jars to release bubbles as natural fermentation will occur (similar to fermented honey garlic). You can add more honey after straining your final product to bring the whole mixture up to your desired sweetness level.

A quick note on sourcing herbs:

We have a beautiful local apothecary, Forest and Meadow, that I prefer to get my herbs from because I trust they are sourcing the best quality, organic herbs. You can shop their selection online and have it shipped to you for a small fee. They have an incredible, broad selection, and I love that you can buy as little as 1 oz - perfect for experimenting! They also offer a selection of prepared Oxymels to try (they call them shrubs).

If shopping online, always choose organic, and shop reputable US-based brands. I am usually pretty happy with Frontier Co-Op, Anthony’s, Organic Veda, and Kate Naturals. Below are all Amazon links to products I have personally tried. Some of the products are larger quantities that I was worried I would have a lifetime supply of. I have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly we have gone through these as our whole family looks forward to an Oxymel mocktail daily!

My favorite oxymel herbal blends

Lavender Hibiscus

1/2 cup Lavender Buds
1/2 cup Hibiscus Flowers
Benefits: reduces stress to promote better sleep. Supports heart health and blood pressure regulation

Basil Lavender

2/3 cup Basil Leaves
1/3 cup Lavender Buds
Benefits: calming, anti-inflammatory, and digestive support.
Serve with lemon juice for the most refreshing, unexpected, herbal lemonade!

Love Your Hormones Blend

2/3 cup Spearmint Leaves
1/3 cup Hibiscus Flowers
Benefits: helps with blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, and weight management
Serve with lime Spindrift for a refreshing spin on a Mojito mocktail

Immune Boosting Blend

1/2 cup Elderberry
1/4 cup Echinacea
1/4 cup Rosehips
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Ceylon Cinnamon
1 tsp Turmeric
5 Black Peppercorns
5 Whole Cloves
Benefits: Supports immune function and overall wellness. Bonus that this is a shelf-stable elderberry syrup preparation! And it is SO yummy!

Digestive Harmony Blend

1/2 cup Peppermint
1/4 cup Ginger
1/2 cup Fennel
Benefits: Aids digestion and soothes the digestive system.

Citrus Blend

1/2 cup Orange Peel
1/3 cup Lemon Balm
1/4 cup Thyme
Benefits: refreshing and rich in antioxidants

Relaxation Blend

1/2 cup Chamomile Flowers
1/3 cup Lavender Buds
1/4 cup Lemon Verbena
Benefits: calming and ideal for relaxation. Perfect for an evening wind-down

Seasonal Allergy Relief Blend

1/2 cup Stinging Nettle
1/2 cup quercetin-rich herbs (like Parsley and/or Dill)
Benefits: may help alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.

Healthy Herbal Mocktail

Makes 1 Serving | Prep Time: 1 Minute

Base Ingredients

1-2 tbsp oxymel
8-10 oz sparkling water
- My fave is Spindrift because it’s flavored with real juice

Optional Add-Ins

1 tsp Ovasitol (for hormone & blood sugar support)
1 dropper bitters or tincture targeted toward your health goals (masks the bitter and alcoholic taste so well!)
Splash of pure fruit juice
Squeeze of lemon or lime