Rose hip oxymel with ginger: recipe & application
Rose hip oxymel with ginger is a fruity, tangy honey-vinegar infusion for the cold season. The recipe is quick to prepare and requires only a few ingredients.
What is oxymel?
Oxymel—also known as acid honey—is a mixture of honey and vinegar. The name comes from Greek: oxys means sour and meli means honey. This preparation was already known in Greek medicine and was traditionally supplemented with herbs, fruits, or spices.
In this recipe, sweet honey and cloudy apple cider vinegar meet aromatic rose hips and fresh ginger. The result is a versatile infusion that can be used diluted as a drink or in the kitchen.
New to the world of fermentation?
Rose hip ginger oxymel: The recipe
For this recipe, we use a ratio of 3 parts honey : 1 part apple cider vinegar : 1 part rose hips. Ginger is added to taste. This ratio is a proven recipe, but not a legally established standard for oxymel.
Ingredients:
- 300 g raw honey or liquid honey
- 100 ml cloudy apple cider vinegar, preferably unpasteurized
- 100 g ripe, firm rose hips
- 3–5 thin slices of fresh ginger
Preparation:
- Wash the rose hips and remove the flower and stem ends. Roughly chop the fruits. If you are processing them with seeds, you should filter very carefully later on.
- Place the rose hips and ginger slices into a clean Mason Jar.
- Add the honey and apple cider vinegar and stir everything well or shake vigorously.
- Seal the jar and let it steep for 3–6 weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake daily if possible.
- Strain the finished oxymel first through a fine sieve and then—especially if using rose hips with seeds—through a cheesecloth or coffee filter.
- Pour into a clean bottle and store in the refrigerator.
Use: What is oxymel used for?
Traditionally, oxymel is used as a fortifying drink during the colder months. To use it, dissolve one tablespoon of oxymel in a glass of water. It also tastes delicious in lukewarm tea, in salad dressings, or over fruit salad.
Rose hips are particularly interesting because they are among the native fruits rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system. However, the exact vitamin C content of the finished oxymel cannot be reliably stated: it depends, among other things, on the variety, stage of ripeness, storage, and processing. Therefore, rose hip oxymel is not a guaranteed "immune booster" and does not replace a balanced diet or medical treatment.
Ginger also adds a pleasantly spicy aroma and a mild heat to the mixture. Honey and vinegar also make the extract taste rounder and easier to consume.
Why is the rose hip so underrated?
Rose hips are the fruits of various rose species, primarily wild roses. They shine on bushes in autumn but are often underrated. Besides vitamin C, they contain fruit acids, pectins, and other secondary plant compounds.
Important during processing: Rose hip seeds are surrounded by fine hairs that can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. They are not poisonous, but can be unpleasantly itchy. Therefore, always strain the oxymel very carefully.
Don't have any rose hips on hand? No problem, you can prepare traditional oxymel without them as well. You can find another recipe here.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about oxymel
How long does rose hip oxymel last?
After straining, it should be bottled cleanly and stored in the refrigerator. Do not use if there is an unusual smell, mold, pressure from fermentation, or if the taste has changed.
Do I have to remove the rose hip seeds?
No, they can remain in the jar during infusion. However, the mixture must be filtered very finely afterwards so that no irritating hairs remain. Alternatively, you can halve the rose hips before infusion and remove the seeds and hairs.
Can I also use dried rose hips?
Yes, but this changes the consistency and aroma. For dried fruits, the recipe should be adjusted because they absorb liquid. Fresh, firm rose hips are the easiest to use for this recipe.
Can I drink oxymel neat?
It is better to dilute a tablespoon in water. This is easier on the stomach and teeth.
Is oxymel suitable for children?
Honey, and therefore oxymel, must not be given to children under one year of age. For older children, the drink should be highly diluted and only offered in small quantities. Please consult a doctor if you are unsure.
Does the oxymel have to be drunk on an empty stomach in the morning?
No. There is no specific reason why it must be drunk on an empty stomach. If you are sensitive to acid, you should rather drink it with a meal and well diluted.
