Delight in this berry-inflused simple syrup.
This simple syrup can be used for cocktails and mocktails, or easily blended with any fruit. Below is a zero-proof version to enjoy! Get information about schisandra berry in my wellness series, and downloable sheets for the spotlight herb of the month. Now, let's talk a bit about this wonderful plant!
Ingredient Spotlight: Schisandra Berry
Schisandra (or Schizandra) berry is considered a five-flavoured fruit and is also such a special herb, in that this single herb alone has all five tastes: pungent, salty, sour, bitter, and sweet.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is a remarkably balanced herb, a powerful one that does many things and has a wide range of uses that may positively affect the body (including liver protection and due to its adaptogenic properties help with depression and stress). Ref. more about Schisandra: (1), (2)
Schisandra (or Schizandra) berry is considered a five-flavoured fruit, this single herb alone has all five tastes: pungent, salty, sour, bitter, and sweet.
Special equipment: Small saucepan with a lid (1.8 Qt./1.7 L-capacity), sterilised glass bottle or jug, sieve/mesh strainer (or muslin bag), metal funnel, whisk, silicone spoon (optional). Buy tools here.
Yield: This recipe makes enought for 4 to 8 cocktails, depending on glass size, and the type of cocktail made. This recipe can be doubled.
*Sweeteners: Although I made mine sugar-free. I have used liquid sweeteners for other batches. Below are sweeteners to use, choose one for this recipe:
If you are using honey or maple syrup, add it after you have strained the berries in a separate container. Then, pour the blended syrup through a funnel, into a glass bottle. Your syrup should have a beautiful light to deep pink colour, depending on what sweetener you use.
Shop: Buy dried Schisandra berries, (Buy here) (Schisandra chinensis) or (Buy here).