Han - Wild drinks and cocktails : handcrafted squashes, shrubs, switchels, tonics, and infusions to mix at home

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text 2016 Emily Han

First published in the United States of America in 2016 by

Fair Winds Press, a member of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-785-4

Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-707-1

Digital edition published in 2015

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Cover and interior design by Amanda Richmond

Photography by Emily Han and Gregory Han, except for by Shane Redsar.

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your health care provider before beginning any new health program.

HANDCRAFTED SQUASHES, SHRUBS, SWITCHELS, TONICS, AND INFUSIONS TO MIX AT HOME

EMILY HAN

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

W HAT DO I SEE WHEN I POUR MYSELF A GLASS OF ELDERFLOWER cordial? Its fresh, pale-yellow hue reminds me of the gnarled yet resilient elder tree rooted in a sunny hillside near my home, and its taste makes me think of the warm spring morning when I gathered the creamy white blossoms in the company of bees, and how I spent hours sitting on my balcony, steadily and quietly plucking the flowers from their stems. It puts me in mind of deer and squirrels, too, for the elder tree provides them with shelter and forage. A few months after the elder tree blooms, its fragrant flowers will turn into clusters of juicy purple berries: food for songbirds and delicious medicine for my friends and family. Each sip of elderflower cordial contains an entire natural worldsun, air, water, earth, animals, and insectsand there are generations of people in that world, too, such as herbalists, cooks, teachers, and students. And, if you ask me, thats nothing short of magical.

I began wildcrafting about ten years ago. Although I grew up with nature-loving, plant-growing, herbal medicinepracticing parents, it wasnt until I moved to one of the largest urban areas in the world that I really started interacting with wild plants: and, by extension, wild drinks. It may seem surprising that I discovered nature in the middle of Los Angelesbut nature is everywhere you look, from the elder tree around the corner to the mallows growing in sidewalk cracks and the feral pomegranates that dwell in empty lots. As Ive discovered, connecting with nature or becoming a forager or wildcrafter doesnt mean you have to live on umpteen acres in the countryside (though its lovely if you do!). The truth is, wherever we live, we have access to nourishment and inspiration. And I channeled my inspiration into making drinks. Thats because I fell in love with the bounty of seasonal ingredients available in my new city, and I wanted new ways to play with all the tastes, smells, and colors I encountered in the world around me. (Also, making drinks involves lots of bottles and jars, which might be a slight obsession of mine.) I love being able to turn the berries I gather in the morning into a unique cocktail that same eveningand I love sharing my handcrafted drinks with others, because theyve got a unique power to make any gathering or celebration a bit more special.

As I explored wild foods and beverage-making, I became increasingly fascinated by the connection between drinks and medicine. So many teas, syrups, vinegars, liqueurs, and other drinks have their roots (no pun intended!) in herbal medicine, which has been practiced by grandmothers, monks, and physicians alike over the centuries. As I learned about the herbs, roots, seeds, and fruits that I found growing near me, I discovered that many of them werent just delicious: they could also be called upon to soothe a stomachache, calm a stressed-out mind, or support a flagging immune system. We often look to superfoods that grow in far-off places to boost our health, but why should we ignore the powerful and nutritious medicinal plantsoften known pejoratively as weedsthat are growing right on our doorsteps? Whats more, the process of making our own drinks and herbal remedies is just as important as the end result: its healing and empowering in itself.

People are often surprised to learn that botanical treasures such as elderflowers are flourishing in their local environmentseven in cities. Although this book is a collection of recipes, not a field guide, I hope itll inspire you to learn about and interact with the place where you live. Also, because I know that not everyone has easy access to every single ingredient, in these recipes Ive made an effort to use plants that can also be grown in a garden, found at the farmers market, and made with dried herbs instead of fresh ones. Plus, Ive included a list of high-quality mail-order sources in the Resources on , and I hope youll find it helpful.

Wild Drinks begins with a primer on wildcrafting and a run-down of some of the ingredients, tools, and techniques youll use in wild drink making. From there, it explores different types of drinksfrom teas, juices, and lemonades to syrups and squashes, and from vinegar-based drinks to infused liquors and wines, and lots more. In many of the recipes, I share information on how different plants are used as herbal remedies. This can be tricky, because trueand truly effectiveherbal medicine is complex, nuanced, and personalized, and cant be reduced to general statements like, Use this herb to fix that ailment. That said, Im sharing these tidbits in the hope that theyll encourage you to learn more.

I hope this book will inspire you to explore the wild ingredients that grow in your neighborhoodand to experiment with the flavors that speak to you. Salut!

THIS BOOK IS AN EDUCATIONAL and informational resource. It is not given as medical advice and is not a substitute for working with a health care practitioner. If you have an existing medical condition, are taking medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or otherwise need medical or herbal advice, consult your health care practitioner. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for adverse reactions or sensitivities to ingredients. You are responsible for educating yourself about food safety and making sure you have correctly identified any wild food before picking or ingesting it.