Drink Recipes

There's a thread on a Facebook group about what to do with the leftover syrup that results from burning Strega liqueur. Raven Grimassi recommended adding Everclear since the alcohol is what is burned off and burning it again...  I completely disagree! You burn it as an offering- you don't give part of it as an offering! Would you offer cakes to your Patrons at the new moon, eat the frosting off of 'em, then put them back in the fridge and offer the same exact ones again, re-frosted, at the full moon ? That's the worst kind of regifting! I can see adding everclear to the mixture during ritual to keep it going, but not pouring the used syrup back into the bottle afterward. Sheesh. Call me a snob, I don't care, it's my opinion and practice and you're entitled to have a different one no matter how much I disagree with it.

In the same discussion I advised to not offer something you will not ingest yourself. You should always taste what you're about to offer: It's a sign of respect and faith and honor and camaraderie. It's a way to anchor the offering to this plane.

Enough waxing philosophic! Here are two recipes I hope you'll enjoy.

Liqueur? I hardly know her!

6 Cardamom Pods
3 Tsp Anise Seed
2 1/4  Tsp Chopped Angelica Root
3 Inch Stick Cinnamon
1 Clove
1/8 Tsp fennel seeds
1 small sprig of mint
1 tsp Saffron, soaked in 2 tbsp water for 1 hour
25 fl oz. Vodka OR 6oz vegetable glycerin + 20 fl oz distilled water.
1 Cup simple syrup (1 cup white sugar + 1 cup water. Combine in a saucepan, boil while stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool completely before using)

• Remove seeds, discard pods and crush the cardamom seeds in a mortar.
• Add the anise and fennel seeds  to the mortar too, work them with the pestle until they have been ground into a fine powder.
• Combine all ingredients except the sugar syrup in a large jar.
• Shake well and steep for one week (Two weeks for the non alcoholic version), shaking twice a day.
•Strain the liquid through a coffee filter 3 times (using 3 separate filters)
• Add the syrup and let it sit for 9 days.

The non alcoholic version is extra syrupy and is not suitable for burning during ritual.

An alternate method is to take the herbs and make a decoction:
Don't crush the seeds, instead put all of the herbs in a pot, cover it with cool distilled water, then simmer gently with the lid on for about 45 minutes. The longer it simmers, the stronger it will be. Let it sit overnight.

•Add glycerin/water combo plus decoction to a jar
• Shake well and steep for two weeks, shaking twice a day.
•Strain the liquid through a coffee filter 3 times (using 3 separate filters)
• Add the syrup and let it sit for 9 days.


Limoncello
I was going to type out a recipe for this, but this person has posted a great version. It's very detailed and funny and basically what I would do anyway. I prefer the grain alcohol to the vodka too, but vodka is easier to come by.


I find it best to make this in January so it's ready by the summer. It's a perfect summer offering and a tasty drink too!

Salute!