c
I recently wrote about making sodas from the root of a common weed – chicory. Fermenting a root, often ginger, is the first step in making a soft drink. It is then mixed with whatever juice you choose, a little more sugar or raw honey for a further ferment, sealed, and that’s it. The full recipe can be found here.
I found the chicory bug had a bitter flavour, but nothing that would interfere with other flavours, so it can be a good alternative to ginger. It reminded me of the flavour of tonic water, so the next challenge was to develop it into the real thing.
I dug up some more chicory root while the ground is not yet frozen. The flowers had wilted but there were some tasty young green leaves at the base of the plants not to be wasted.
The roots are easiest to cut up when fresh, so it’s best to chop them all so when they dry, they are ready to add to your bug.
Searching for a good tonic recipe, I came across this one by David Lebovitz which I followed very closely, except I used a pinch of lavender flowers in place of the lemongrass called for. Instead of mixing the prepared syrup half and half with soda water, I fermented it with the ‘bug’, some raw honey and more water.
First, a little about this syrup. The ingredient that gives tonic water its distinctive flavour is the bark of cinchona (quina), a plant originating in South America but cultivated also in Asia for its medicinal qualities, one of which has been a treatment for malaria. For more about the plant, its uses and contraindications, read this.
You won’t likely find this bark in your local green grocer’s, but a good herb shop should carry it, and of course you can buy it on line.
It is wise to use organic fruits, especially since the peel is used.
The bark, some spices, fruit juice and zest are all mixed together, heated and allowed to sit for a couple of days to make a richly coloured, super aromatic, bitter syrup.
The next step was to ferment this with my chicory bug. For this I used
100 ml. chicory (or other root) bug
125 ml tonic syrup
2 Tbsp raw honey
1 tsp granulated sugar (optional, for a little extra sweetness)
200 ml non-chlorinated water.
Mix these ingredients in a bottle with a sealable lid like the one in the photo above, and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 days, after which time it should be refrigerated. Even at a cool temperature, fermentation will continue, so to be safe you can occasionally release the seal and let some gas escape, then seal it up again.
The syrup soda combination was very good, but the fully fermented drink was definitely superior and well worth the extra little effort. The recognizable flavour of tonic was more complex, and was so good I didn’t even feel tempted to add the usual splash of gin, although I’m sure that would be excellent too.
If you don’t have access to chicory roots, any bitter, edible root such as dandelions would be a good alternative.
Linked to: Fiesta Friday #96
Related posts: Two New Flavours of Ginger Soda; Chicory Root Soda; Dandelion Gin Fizz
November 27, 2015 at 1:51 pm
ooh!
LikeLike
November 27, 2015 at 1:51 pm
That’s a positive sounding “ooh!” not a skeptical one… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Wow! Your tonic water sounds fabulous, Hilda. Thanks fot sharing and happy FF! 🙂
LikeLike
November 27, 2015 at 5:29 pm
Thanks Jhuls. It is difficult to convey just how delicious this drink is, but glad you liked it. I will certainly be making it again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Wow! Interesting recipe. I never knew. I would want you by my side if we ever get stranded out in the wilderness, for sure. 🙂 Happy FF!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Thanks Arl. I have never made anything from bark before, but I am now thinking it might be an interesting ingredient to investigate. Maybe then I would know something about survival, but at this point I am pretty bound to my garden and kitchen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 27, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Well you a definitely doing a great job there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 28, 2015 at 4:06 am
Such a great post. You really are such a rich resource.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 1:57 am
I read your previous post on the chicory soda as well, and it’s very fascinating. I didn’t realize that soda could be produced through natural fermentation (and the process reminds me quite a bit of my sourdough starter!). The tonic syrup sounds so lovely as well, and is such a deep pretty colour!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Thanks for the comment. It is like sourdough, except maybe even easier and faster. I am going to use the tonic in some recipes too which, for the sake of the blog, I hope turn out well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 2:10 am
Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Very nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 7:14 pm
Lovely post ….you introduce so many new stuffs to us…. awesome Hilda….
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 29, 2015 at 9:02 pm
Thanks Chitra.
LikeLike
November 29, 2015 at 11:42 pm
This was very interesting. I didn’t know that this could be made at home! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: G&T Coriander Walleye | Along the Grapevine
Pingback: Sumac Soda | Along the Grapevine
January 29, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Thanks for the recipe Hilda, I’m going to order some cinchona next time I order my herbs. I don’t have chicory but have plenty of dandelions in our field.
LikeLike
January 29, 2016 at 10:13 pm
Thanks Sarah. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Let me know how it goes.
LikeLike