It was super cool to see a conversation in my local community this week about the value of dandelion for the soil and for an edible weed. Someone mentioned dandelion and burdock soda, something I'd enjoyed in England when I lived there. I'm a big fan of the caramelly, earthy taste of root beers like sarsaparilla, and dandelin & burdock is even better as it uses two roots that are really good for you as a digestive and liver tonic.

I'm certainly interested in this as a drink to counteract the Christmas binge - or at least be a substitute for beer, given the fact I probably need to reduce my alcohol content for a dry January!

Thus, I set to work researching what exactly went into a dandelion and burdock cordial. Traditionally - as far back as the 12th century - this root beer would be fermented with fruit juices and honey, and be slightly alcoholic, but I didn't want to fuss with that. A cordial would be just fine. All recipes required simmering star anise, dandelion root & burdock in water for about twenty minutes, then adding the sugar and simmering til a little syrupy.

I used:

3 tbsp of dried burdock root
3 tbsp of dried dandelion root
6 cm of fresh ginger, rough chopped
3 star anise, broken
250 grams sugar
800 ml water

After simmering, one strains it through muslin and reheats it with the sugar. I wasn't going to waste time and energy simmering it for hours til syrupy - mine was thin but rich in taste and very much reminiscent of the taste I was familiar with. A good splash in fizzy water is exactly what one needs on a hot day.

I also think I could experiment with a bitter tonic of dandelion and burdock which is super for digestion. I remember reading one that also contained cacao nibs and orange, which would add to the taste a little.

But this was really a revelation - and certainly a way to use up the dried roots I had in my cupboard.

Have you ever tried, or made, dandelion & burdock beer, cordial, or bitters?

What's your favourite cordial recipe?

With Love,

^{The Herbal Hive Community}

Are you on HIVE yet? Earn for writing! Referral link for FREE account here