Dandelion Sparkler

Dandelion Sparkler (which you can call soda or champagne or whatever you like- it is not alcoholic, but is totally magical and fancy!)

The recipe is inspired by a book called Homemade Root Beer, Soda, and Pop:

1 gallon dandelion blossoms

1 cup raisins, coarsely chopped

1 lemon, cut in quarters

1 grapefruit (we used an orange)

1/2 tsp dried orange peel

1 gallon boiling water

1 3/4 c. sweetener (we used honey and much less, but you could use agave or sugar and sweeten to taste)

3 Tblsp vinegar (if you like a more bitter taste- you can add it in with the sugar)

1/8 tsp granulated ale yeast (plus 1/4 c lukewarm water)- this i got at the beer making store on king st.

1. Place blossoms & raisins in large stock pot, then squeeze the lemon in and add lemon rind and pulp. Add the grapefruit and the orange rind.

2. Pour 1 gallon of boiling water over all that and allow to steep, covered, for 1-6 hours, depending on how strong you like it.

3. Add the sugar until it is dissolved and then strain into a jug- make sure the liquid is not hotter than lukewarm

4. Put the ale yeast into a teacup w/ the lukewarm water and let it sit for several minutes until it rehydrates.

5. Add the yeast to the jug, cap and mix it up a bit.

6. Bottle (we used old coke bottles we found and bought new caps- you need either a capper or those old fashioned bottles with rubber stoppers and latches here) and store in a dark, cool place.

7. After 72 hours, open one bottle to check for fizziness and if you like the bubbliness, put in the fridge until you are ready to drink!

I made violet and dandelion blossom ice cubes to serve with it and it was like a fairy cocktail.

Enjoy!

Love,

Dori

Dori Midnight
community folk healing + magic + apothecary
www.dorilandia.com

http://midnightapothecary.blogspot.com