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| Photo by David Wright on Flickr |
Essentially, this recipe makes a herbal tincture with the addition of some citrus peeling and some spices - too simple!
Here is the combination of herbs that decided to I use based on input from my DH:
1 cup of chopped herb (roughly 3/4 chocolate mint, 1/8 plantain, 1/8 thyme)
6 dried cloves
1 star anise
I placed it all in a 1 cup mason jar and covered it with 40% (80 proof) vodka.
I'll put it in a cool dark place to steep for 3 to 4 weeks (more or less depending on scent strength) and I'll shake it now and then. Then I'll strain it into a clean bottle that's a convenient shape for aftershave. Voila! Since this is tinctured, it will last indefinitely.
The authors also suggest these herbs and spices in a combination of your choice:
- zest of one citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange)
- basil
- lemongrass
- lavender
- mint
- anise hyssop
- rosemary
- thyme
- sage
- lemon balm
- lemon verbena
- bay leaves
- fennel
- 2-3 peppercorns
- 2-3 dried cloves
- 2-3 dried allspice berries
- 3-5 juniper berries
- gin (for a fresh, bracing herbal scent)
- rum (for a sweeter note)
- vodka (for no additional scent)
I have three books authored by Janice Cox and they all contain quick, fun recipes to try. Here are links to each of them on amazon.ca:
Have fun creating (at any time of day - or night)!
Val :)
