What is an OxymeL?
The word oxymel comes from the Greek words “oxys” (acid, often vinegar) and “meli” (honey). Simply put, a traditional oxymel is a sweet and tangy herbal preparation made by combining apple cider vinegar, raw honey, and medicinal herbs. This mixture creates a potent remedy that is both flavorful and functional. I love utilizing handcrafted oxymels to extract and preserve the beneficial properties of herbs, while making them easier to consume and enjoy.
What Is an Oxymel For?
Oxymels are incredibly versatile. Depending on the herbs you choose, oxymels can support a wide range of wellness goals. From boosting immunity and easing digestion to calming nerves and supporting respiratory health. They’re a delicious and alcohol-free alternative to tinctures, making them ideal for children or those avoiding alcohol.
Because of the vinegar base, oxymels also aid in nutrient absorption and gut health, especially when taken before meals! It’s my favorite way to use oxymels in my household, besides making a tangy mocktail.
Why Choose MY Handcrafted Oxymels?
My handcrafted oxymel, made in small batches, offers quality and potency that mass-produced blends just can't match. When I craft these oxymels by hand, I carefully select organic herbs and allow the plants to speak for themselves and come through. The low heat infusion process I use captures the full spectrum of an herb’s energetics, making the final product more effective and often more magical.
I make it a point to choose local herbs whenever possible and source honey from my local area. Perfect for folks looking to add local honey to their diet. You just can’t get that with mass-produced products. You can quite literally feel the love that went into these oxymels.
Recipe inspiration
Oxymels can be taken by the spoonful, mixed into water or tea, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or even used as a tangy salad dressing. They’re shelf-stable and easy to store in your home apothecary or kitchen.
The best way, in my book, to enjoy herbal oxymels is to add them to sparkling water. Doing so creates the most luxurious mocktail, and the herbs really shine through. This is how I turn everyone who visits my home into an oxymel lover. I’ve also had friends use them as a mixer in adult beverages with spirits!
Mocktails & cocktails: I use 2 tbsp per 8oz of sparkling water. This mixture is spectacular in the summer and does a great job at cooling the body down. Though I’ll be the first to admit that I drink oxymels all year round. There’s no wrong way to use it in drinks, play around, and see what you prefer!
Salad dressing: Perfect for spinach or arugula salads. It’s all personal taste, but a good starting point is replacing your acid of choice in your salad with oxymel. You can also drizzle it over cooked Brussels sprouts, root vegetables, and get creative!
By itself! Seriously! If you need some herbal relief in a pinch, you can drink it as is in a little medicine glass.
The limits are endless, and I encourage you to find what works for your routine or your needs.