Limoncello

by Georgina Adamson

Peel rind off 6 large thick-skinned lemons. Not too much flesh. Buy a bottle of vodka. Put half of the vodka in another similar clean bottle. Stuff the lemon rind into the two bottles. The vodka should cover the rind. Seal and set aside for a week. No nipping!

Make a syrup with 3 cups sugar and 4 cups water. Bring to the boil and stir till sugar is dissolved, simmer for five minutes till it’s a little syrupy. Combine this syrup with the lemon-infused vodka and stir well. Strain, then decant into smaller clean bottles and seal. Set … Read more »

Gulaga Organics Smoothies (with thanks to Gulaga Organics) 

Here’s what you will need (makes 1 big or 2 small): 

Cacao Smoothie: 

350 mls unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 frozen banana
3 drops choc stevia
2 dates 

Berry Smoothie: 

350 mls coconut water
1 cup frozen blueberries
¼ frozen apple
1 frozen banana
3 drops of vanilla stevia 

Here’s what you will do: 

1. Cut fruit into 1 cm pieces.
2. Blend fruit and other ingredients … Read more »

Fired-up ginger and honey cocktail

Ingredients: 

½ cup runny honey
½ cup water
1 knob ginger, cut into 5cm pieces
2 shots vodka or gin
1 shot fresh lemon juice
1 egg white

Method: 

First, place the honey and water into a small saucepan on very low heat. Drop in some pieces of ginger and warm together to melt honey and infuse. 

Cook for 5 minutes to really bring the flavours out. Set aside to cool. 

You will need … Read more »

Immunity honey tea

Ingredients: 

1 tsp of honey
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp thyme
½ tsp ginger root
¼ tsp turmeric root powder
1 cup of boiled water

Method: 

Add the dry and fresh ingredients to a teapot with freshly boiled water. Brew for 5 minutes. Pour tea through the strainer. Sip while warm.

Spiced honey and orange mulled wine

Ingredients:

5 -10 whole cloves
3 whole cinnamon sticks, + extra to serve
¼ cup honey
½ tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
2 star anise
2 cups water
flat slivers orange rind
fresh orange juice squeeze
dash vanilla essence (optional)
1 bottle fruity red wine

Method:

In a saucepan add all the ingredients except the wine and orange juice. Bring it all to a gentle simmer and simmer for 5-8 minutes … Read more »

Lemon Cordial

Ingredients

2kg castor sugar
1 litre water
30g citric acid
30g tartaric acid
juice of 6 large lemons, strained
finely grated zest of 2 lemons

Method

If the lemons are not from your own tree, scrub them well with hot water before proceeding to zest or juice.

Dissolve sugar in water over heat in a non-aluminium stockpot. Add citric and tartaric acids. Stir to ensure that all is completely dissolved. Cool. … Read more »