Infused Vinegar
Late Winter is the perfect time to begin infusing your vinegar for Early Spring greens & foraged foods.
First you will need to decide your proposed flavors and inventory your dried herbal stores.
Here are some ideas and favorites I have crafted:
Red Clover, Chamomile & Hibiscus - This elixir is incredible for cold & flu with a scarlet color and sweet bouquet. With the combo of herbs in this brew, it adds additional Vitamin C with Hibiscus. Red Clover helps with respiratory issues and inflammation. Chamomile boosts immunity and adds a light floral undertone to the vinegar. This is an amazing addition to greens or salads.
Rosemary & Hibiscus - This delightful vinegar also adds additional Vitamin C, but adds boosting the immune system to its properties. The addition of Rosemary adds anti-bacterial properties. It also deepens the flavor of the vinegar and is delightful as a simple dressing. Perfect to add to chilis, stews & soups. Add a little maple syrup to the vinegar and you have a rich, antioxidant-filled dip for breads & biscuits.
Violet, Red Bud & Tulsi - This vinegar is perfect for external use, as well as traditional usage. Violet & Red Bud help with dry skin and eczema. Add a few drops to a body oil and apply to trouble spots. Red bud is great to break up congestion and Tulsi helps to reduce fever. Add a bit to your soda water for a refreshing drink, especially good when recovering from illness or strenuous activity.
Elderberry & Red clover - The addition of elderberry to this libation, really boosts the immunity and helps lessen pain & fatigue. This vinegar is new this year and will most likely sell out. Add this to your elderberry regime and super boost your immune system this year!
Use personal tastes or dietary needs to formulate your own. Or buy from us here at the Owlery!
Look through your herbal stores or purchase from a reputable source. A local herbalist or bulk Apothecary.
Use some of your hanging herbs…
Now is also an excellent time to pull from your hanging stores as well. This will allow you to use what was previously harvested and open up room to dry for the early Spring foraging that will begin in a few weeks.
Now is an excellent time to do late Winter inventory and determine what can go into jars for vinegar and what you need to use in teas.
Infused vinegars steep over the course of 2 - 6 weeks and now is the time to start them before early Spring greens begin coming up.
Soon dandelion, cattails, watercress, purple dead nettle, violets and more will begin to come available and you’ll want delicious vinegars to add to salads, stews or stir-fried greens.
Add your dried herbs directly to Apple Cider Vinegar
or add to a muslin bag or compostable tea bag
before putting in your jar.
Leave enough head space,
but vinegar doesn’t need to be
opened for escaping
gasses, like wine or beers.
After adding put in a cool place. Cupboards or basement shelving is perfect.
Shake your jar at least once every three days. Vinegar is very forgiving and if you forget, it won’t be a big deal.
Infused vinegar is an excellent and simple way to try herbal medicine.
Play around with different flavor combinations and make sure you document your recipes so you can re-create year after year. Or know the ones you don’t enjoy. See our posts about documenting your herbal journey here.
Label your jars and decant when the flavor and color is to personal preference. I generally do at least one turning of the moon. From either full to full or new to new.
Strain the solids or add your herb bag to compost. Add your newly infused vinegar to a pretty container. Perfect for gift giving or adding to a Spring celebration picnic.
Infused vinegar can be used for salads, home cleansing, or for a toner or hair rinse. As the weather warms and we begin getting outside more, having a small spray bottle of vinegar is incredible to spray after foraging for removing poison ivy oils or as a simple disinfectant for cuts and scrapes. Spray on affected areas and allow to dry.
Vinegar is fabulous for tightening pores and to add as a final rinse in the shower for oily hair and itchy scalp. Wash hair normally and rinse with vinegar. Add conditioner after or use a light hair serum for natural hair treatments.
A truly delicious salad dressing is equal parts infused vinegar and oil of choice: olive, avocado, sesame, etc. Combine oil and vinegar. Shake and apply to your salads or stir-fried greens. Vinegar helps to break down the greens and aids in digestion.
A Spring cleaning formula is equal parts vinegar and water. Add to a spray bottle or a cleaning bucket. Spray onto fabrics like drapes/curtains, afghans/blankets & crochet critters or stuffed animals. Wipe down counters or floors. Vinegar will cleanse and the the scent will evaporate. Amazing natural cleanser for home or office.
Thanks for reading and enjoy this fun and simple way to incorporate herbalism in your life!
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