This lemon balm and mint soda is a summertime favourite recipe that we wanted to share with anyone who's looking for a fun way to use their lemon balm. If enjoyed uncarbonated, it has a very similar taste to a citrusy gin, but with no alcohol.
Ingredients:
- A handful of lemon balm
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- ½ lemon, sliced
- 90g sugar or honey
-
900ml cold water
Equipment:
- 1L Jar
- Fabric to cover it
- Rubber band/ string
- Fermentation pebble or weight of some kind (optional)
- Knife and chopping board
- Fine mesh sieve or straining bag
- Glass bottle
- Bottle funnel
- scales
Method:
- Pick the herbs fresh, give them and the lemon a gentle clean under cold water.
- In a large jar, add the sugar or honey to the water and stir until dissolved. Slice the lemon and add this too, give it a stir and a muddle to crush the juice into the liquid.
- You can add the stems of the herbs in as well. The difference is that the stem contains higher levels of tannins, which produce a bitter taste in the soda. The flavour is quite nice in the right amount, but if you don't enjoy a drier, more bitter soda, remove the stems.
- If you want to add the fermentation weight to keep the herbs and lemons submerged, it can be tricky to balance them on top of loose ingredients. If you choose not to add the weight, stick to stirring the soda once to twice a day. This will make sure any part that does float above the surface doesn't stay there too long before being washed with the liquid (stopping pathogens).
- Cover the jar with a breathable lid (cheesecloth or muslin cloth) and leave it somewhere, preferably between 18-24 degrees celsius out of direct sunlight for 2-3 days.
- During this time, the liquid may turn cloudy white. This is perfectly normal and a sign that wild yeast is active.
- After 3 days, pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or straining bag into a sterilised glass bottle and close the lid. Leave it at room temperature for a day, then chill in a fridge for 1-2 days. Depending on how active your soda was during the first fermentation period, this should make a naturally carbonated soda.
- Enjoy your fresh summery soda! Consume within 3-4 days.
To grow your own lemon balm, shop premium seeds at Ausallium today!
