Lemon Balm Honey Brandy Recipe [Picture Guide]

Lemon Balm is a wonderful aromatic plant whose lemony smell brings joy to anyone who comes near it. It's a cooling mint that supports digestion and for many, it's a go-to herb for stress and mild depression. Lemon Balm uplifts the spirit and calms the mind while keeping us sharp and engaged. Lemon Balm is in full bloom right now in many gardens and what better way to enjoy it — besides rubbing it all over your hands and breathing it in deeply which I like to do — than by making a Lemon Balm Elixir and sharing it with friends!

Elixirs are a fun and delicious way to work with aromatic herbs. They can be enjoyed straight over ice, added to drinks or club soda, and even used as an ice cream topper.

So let's get to it so you can go out in the garden and get started!

Lemon Balm Honey Brandy Elixir Recipe

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

  • Fresh Lemon Balm

  • A clean glass jar with tight fitting lid

  • Raw unfiltered organic honey

  • Brandy

DIRECTIONS

  • Fill jar with Lemon Balm leaves*

  • Fill 1/3 jar with raw unfiltered honey (1/2 for a sweeter Elixir)

  • Add some Brandy

  • Use chopstick to stir, mash and thoroughly combine

  • Add more brandy fill the jar

  • Stir, mash and thoroughly combine again

  • Cover tightly & shake vigorously (you may need to add some more bandy to cover the Lemon Balm)

  • Let sit for 4-6 weeks, stir occasionally

  • Strain out Lemon Balm leaves & enjoy!

  • Store in cool dry place

*Another method is to finely chop the leaves. This releases more of the aromatics and creates more surface area and possibly a stronger tasting elixir. I did this with a Mint Elixir I recently made because the leaves didn't smell very minty. But, once I chopped them up - whoa... Minty delight! I added the leaves to a food processor with a small amount of brandy to finely chop the leaves, then added that mixture a jar and added more brandy and honey like above.

To be honest, we start using Elixirs WAY before 4 weeks, but the longer you let it sit, the more tasty it will become so make plenty!

LEMON BALM HONEY ELIXIR PICTURE GUIDE

medicine makingGina Kearney