As you may have noticed I sometimes delve into the past for recipe inspirations. It never ceases to amaze me how innovative the cuisine was pre-modern technology considering the limited supplies and equipment (compared to today). Dishes and beverages usually involved a small handful of local ingredients and were prepared in a rustic manner yet they were incredibly delicious Mulsum. Now I do like all the fusion going on today with food. It’s fun. And it’s had my palate bouncing from one end of the world to another. But there’s a lot to be said for the purity and simplicity to be found in ancient recipes and what they can […]
Succumb to Licorice Shake
The winter season always seems to nudge me in the direction of making warmer spicier beverages. I often feel the need to get cozy and just curl up with a good book while sipping on an intense drink, especially during the holidays. It’s such a great time to hunker down and delve into some serious reading and sipping that I don’t get around to the rest of the time. My favorite get-mellow-with-a-book drinks tend to be tea concoctions made with warm spices, natural sweeteners, and healthy fats such as coconut and nuts. Teas subtly infuse blended drinks with interesting flavors: each one adding its own unique stamp. It doesn’t hurt […]
Mulsum – Spiced Honey Wine
I first made this wonderful drink about 13 years ago when I wanted to re-create a very old recipe called Mulsum. Mulsum or honey wine (also sometimes called mead) is an archaic recipe. In fact, it’s the oldest alcoholic drink in the world. The process of making Mulsum dates back thousands of years. It’s traveled many roads since, but hasn’t changed much. Each culture since ancient times seemed to embrace the simple and rustic nature of this drink, adding their own special touches yet keeping the authentic characteristics intact. For this recipe, I was inspired by the popular Mulsum that was served in the ancient Roman world. History aside, it’s one fabulous drink. In the […]