Drinks
3lbs / 1360g clear honey
1oz / 28g yeast
1 gallon /4.5L water
2 lemons
2 oz / 56g root ginger
Rosemary sprig
The water should be boiled for 30 minutes then the honey stirred
in and the mixture simmered for a further hour.
Remove any scum produced with a wooden spoon.
The ginger should first be bruised and tied in a muslin bag along with the
rosemary. This is added to the fluid along with the juice and rind of the
lemons.
When the fluid has cooled to luke warm add the yeast and stir.
Cover the vessel and stand in a warm place removing the muslin bag and floating
lemon peel after 5 days but allow the mixture to ferment for a further 6
days.
Strain with a cloth sieve and bottle, leaving the corks loose initially but
when the gas production ceases tighten home.
It should be kept bottled for at least two months before drinking.
This drink was traditionally drunk by newly married couples for a month after the wedding hence the term 'honeymoon'.