Hypocras is a spiced red wine drink. It can be made in a number of way. Here is a surprisingly exact recipe from 1577. The recipe says it is a very old Greek recipe. I am pretty sure I have read that elsewhere as well.
This recipe is from “Lægebog : I-VI” af Henrik Smith, 1577
“Denne Drick Ipocras kaldies effter Ipocratem læge/ som først den paafant/ oc idelige brugede/ oc findis almindelige i alle Apotecker berede/ oc den skal saaledis beredis.
Tag den beste Canel du kant faa/ halffandet lodt/ godt hvit Ingefær i lodt/ Galliga it halffit lodt/ støt disse småt til pulver/ leg det saa i it Glas/ lad der paa halfftredic potte god rød Vin/ oc Sucker saa meget/ effter som du vilt haffve det sødt til/ lad de saa staa en nat tilsammen.”
For your convenience I have re-calculated the measurements to teaspoons since most of us do not have a really accurate kitchen scales. You should see the Excel sheet.
Smith also give the recipe for another version of hypocras with several ekstra spices.
- Prep Time: 10m
- Total Time: 24h
- Yield: 1 bottle
- Category: Antiquity, Drinks and beverages, Historical cooking, Medieval, Renaissance
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of redwine
- 9 teaspoons cinnamon
- 6 teaspoons ginger
- 3 teaspoons galanga
- sugar to taste (other recipes shows about 100 g)
Instructions
- Mix the spices and the wine and leave overnight.
- If you bottle it, it apparently keeps well