Ingredient Spotlight: Schisandra Berry
This simple syrup can be used for cocktails and mocktails, or easily blended with any fruit. Schisandra (or Schizandra) berry is considered a five-flavoured fruit and is also such a special herb, in that this single herb alone has all five tastes: pungent, salty, sour, bitter, and sweet.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is a remarkably balanced herb, a powerful one that does many things and has a wide range of uses that may positively affect the body (including liver protection and due to its adaptogenic properties help with depression and stress).
Raspberry & Schisandra Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
250g (about 1 ¾ cups) raspberries (frozen, or fresh)
2 tablespoons dried Schisandra berries, whole (Schisandra chinensis) (Buy here)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
sweetener of choice *see notes
Yield: This makes enough for 4 to 8 cocktails, depending on your glass size. This recipe can be doubled.
Special equipment: Small saucepan with a lid (1.8 Qt./1.7 L-capacity), sterilised glass bottle or jug, sieve/mesh strainer (or muslin bag), metal funnel, whisk, silicone spoon (optional). [Buy tools here.]
Method:
1. Add the raspberries and Schisandra berries to a saucepan, over medium-high heat until it starts to boil. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10 -12 minutes, until the raspberries and Schisandra berries have completely softened.
2. Switch off the heat and set aside to slightly cool for about 2 - 3 minutes. Now, add the sweetener, and use a whisk to blend evenly until incorporated.
3. Use a sieve (or muslin bag) to strain the contents into a clean heatproof jug or medium container. Then, pour the contents through a funnel into a glass bottle. Allow the syrup to cool completely before adding it to a cocktail or any drink.
4. Store in a glass bottle with a lid closure in the refrigerator for 5 - 7 days.
*Notes: Sweeteners to use:
25g (1 cup) granulated Stevia, or 170g (1 cup) coconut sugar. Alternatively, you can even use 170g (1/2 cup) organic honey, or 119g (about 1/2 cup) maple syrup.
If you are using honey or maple syrup, add it after you have strained the berries in a separate container. Then, pour the blended syrup through a funnel, into a glass bottle. Your syrup should have a beautiful light to deep pink colour, depending on what sweetener you use. Ref. more about Schisandra: (1), (2)
Shop DIY Bottles
.jpg)
