Hello Herb Lovers,

I already mentioned my glut of lemon balm to you so I thought I would subject you to more lemon balm posts.

A few months ago I made some lemon balm liqueur - for medicinal purposes you understand. I found a recipe I really liked the sound of and it was really an easy process. Well three days ago it was time to savour the result of my efforts and it met with much approval. It is very sweet, almost syrupy in texture. The taste has the lingering hint of lemon but on the back palate you can definitely taste the other spices that made up this recipe. Not the digestive nerve tonic I had originally planned for but a very nice drop indeed. Two of my guinea pigs … ermm … friends like it even better than my pomegranate liqueur (blasphemy!) I think next time I make this, and I definitely will, I will reduce the sugar content and up the spices. I like my herbal liqueurs to have a distinct herbal taste not unlike the taste of Jägermeister.

Here is the recipe I used for those who wish to try. It really is very easy to make your own liqueur.

Melissa Liqueur

2 ½ tsp dried lemon balm

sliced and scraped peel of ¼ lemon

a pinch of coriander

a pinch of cinnamon

2 peppermint leaves

1 cup vodka

½ cup sugar syrup

Place all the ingredients in a bottle and steep 3 weeks. Shake the jar daily during the steeping period. Strain and filter into a dark bottle, adding more sugar to taste. Mature for 2 months.

Sugar Syrup

1 cup white granulated sugar and ½ cup water

Bring to a boil, and stir until all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear. Always cool before adding to alcohol mixture.

Have fun experimenting with your own blends, and do let me know of your success (and disaster) stories. I am always happy to receive and review your efforts - just send in samples

Stay Herbal!