Herbs have a long history of having a love-stimulating effect, in certain combinations. In the Middle East some fantastic love potions have been concocted using alcohol to increase the effect, and sweetened to make them more palatable.
When taken in large amounts some herbs do, indeed, appear to arouse passionate feelings, and in the Middle Ages sorceresses or 'the so called 'white witches' believed in the power of such love potions. However, there were also the 'black witches' whose potions were used for more evil purposes.
Love potions, along with the witches who brewed them, have long since lost their appeal and have all but disappeared from present day society. However, for the adventurous among you, some recipes have been included for you to try containing such herbs as dill, cinnamon, cardamom, caraway, coriander, nutmeg and celery; all of which are believed to be aphrodisiacs.
Farmer's Love Potion
4 teaspoons fennel seed
3 teaspoons celery seed
3 teaspoons angelica
2½ teaspoons coriander seed
1 litre (32 fl oz) brandy
sugar to taste
Crush or grind the herbs, then allow them to soak in the brandy for 14 days. Filter the liquid and add sugar to taste. Stir well until dissolved.
Just like the farmer's love—this drink needs time to blossom!
Older Man's Love Drops
(This recipe is given just for fun!)
When the moon is full, soak 300 g (10 oz) chopped fresh truffles in 2 litres (64 fl oz) rum. Leave for 3 days.
Boil 12 crayfish for 20 minutes in a boiler with thyme, caraway, pepper, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1 stalk celery, chopped. Rub through a sieve to produce a soft puree, then thicken by stirring over a gentle heat.
Press through a cloth filter and add finely chopped liver from a 2 year old white chicken. Allow to macerate 3 hours, then add rum and 1 litre of 80% proof brandy. Cover well and allow to soak overnight.
Sieve and filter, then add 3 teaspoons angelica and stand for 1 ¼ hours before bottling.
A glass for thee .. .
The old man too .. .
And the flush of young love
Will return to you!
Magic Charm
20 g (2/3 oz) cinnamon
½ cup scented rose petals
¼ cup nutmeg
1 litre (32 fl oz) eau de vie sugar candy to taste
Place spices, rose petals and eau de vie in a bottle, seal and allow to soak for 14 days, then filter well and add sugar candy.
Bottle and seal well, and allow to mature for 2-3 months for the flavour (and magic!) to develop.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
from
How to Make Liqueurs: R.M. Byrne (1991)