Oxymel: an introduction & recipe

Do you know what Oxymel is?

Basically, Oxymel is an herbal extraction of apple cider vinegar and honey. In it, you put anything you want to ‘extract’, like fresh herbs, alliums (like garlic or shallots), or even flowers and roots (ginger or turmeric).

In the past, it was used as a herbal tonic and was employed to treat a myriad of different ailments and problems, such as coughs, sore throats, insomnia, and digestive problems. Even Hippocrates used to recommend it!

This was my first experiment in making Oxymel, and it was insanely easy. The only thing it really requires is patience!

What to use it for: I use my Oxymel as a basis for salad dressing, meaning I take a few tablespoons of it and mix it with strong Dijon mustard and some high-quality, extra virgin olive oil. It adds a perfectly tart yet sweet aftertaste to my salads that I’ve become totally addicted to!

You can also use it for:

• marinating fish or meat

• deglazing fish once it’s cooked

• in a cocktail (in small doses)

• in a savory porridge dish

• or basically anywhere that you’d like a quick hit of sweetness and acidity

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Oxymel

Oxymel is a herbal extraction of apple cider vinegar, honey, and any herbs, spices, flowers, and alliums you like! It's very easy to make, lasts forever, and can be used in so many different ways!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Resting time14 days d

Total Time14 days d 5 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: oxymel

Servings: 1 jar

Calories: 500kcal

Equipment

• A glass jar that can be sealed properly

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup honey high quality
• whatever herbs, flowers, spices you want to extract

Instructions

• Start by warming 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Do not let it come to a boil, simply warm it up until it's hot.
• Add 1 cup of high-quality honey to a jar that you can seal properly (preferably one that has a rubber joint under the lid), and add whatever herbs/seasonings you want to extract. For example, garlic, shallots, rosemary, thyme, oregano, peppercorns, bay leaves, sage, chamomile, ginger, turmeric….the list goes on! Every single ingredient has its own medicinal, therapeutic properties so every Oxymel you make will have its own benefits.
• Finally, add the warm vinegar on top, mix well, and seal the jar. ️
• Let it sit on your counter for 2 weeks, then place it in the fridge to use whenever. It will stay good for up to a year!

Have you ever made Oxymel before? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear all about your special combinations! ❤️

If you’re looking for more savory recipes, you can find all of my recipes and creations here.