Have a Drink
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| Drink of Sikanjabin Simple |
“Have a Drink”
The Medieval Cooking Night Theme for August 23, 2013 was “Have a Drink,” Period drink recipes drawn from the 13th Century Al-Andalus Cookbook.
Original/Translation:
Take a ratl [1 ratl=468g/1lb] of strong vinegar and mix it with two ratls [1 ratl =468g/1lb] of sugar, and cook all this until it takes the form of a syrup. Drink an ûqiya [1 ûqiya=39g/7tsp] of this with three of hot water when fast ing. It is beneficial for fevers of jaundice, and calms jaundice and cuts the thirst Since sikanjabîn syrup is beneficial in phlegmatic fevers: make it with six ûqiyas [1 ûqiya =39g/7tsp] of sour vinegar for a ratl [1 ratl=468g/1lb] of honey and it is admirable.
[13th Century Al-Andalus Cookbook, Anon/Miscelleny, Cariadoc and Elizabeth]
Ingredients:
4 Cups Sugar
2 1/2 Cups Water
1 Cup Wine Vinegar
Redaction:
We referred to the translation in Al-Andalus Cookbook as well as the redaction listed in Miscelleny by Cariadoc and Elizabeth. Although not listed in the recipe, we added Mint to the Sikanjabin since it is listed in the version of Sikanjabin in "Fihrist of al-Nadim" in the Tenth Century.
Notes:
This is a common recipe used in the SCA for many years. The vinegar provides a nice tartness to the drink not uncommon to lemonade.
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| Drink from Lemon Syrup |
Original/Translation:
Take lemon, after peeling off the skin, press it [to a pulp] and take a ratl [1 ratl=468g/1lb] of juice, and add as much of sugar. Cook it until it takes the form of a syrup. Its advantages are for the heat of bile; it cuts the thirst and binds the bowels.
[13th Century Al-Andalus Cookbook]
Ingredients:
8 Lemons (16oz/2 Cups Lemon Juice)
1 lb Sugar
Redaction:
Juice the Lemons. Add the Sugar and boil until it becomes a syrup. Let cool. Serve One part Lemon Syrup to Three Parts Water (or to taste.)
Notes:
This recipe turned out quite well. It is very easy to make and the syrup keeps well.
Original/Translation:
Take a pound of dates and remove seeds. Cut them into fourths and steep them in five quarts of water, discard the dregs immediately and add 1 lb of sugar. Cook this to 230ºF/110ºC to make a syrup.
Drink two ounces of it in three ounces of cold water. It is beneficial in jaundice, and cures it; it cuts bilious vomit and thirst, increases the appetite, and removes the bitter taste of food from the mouth.
Also, the concentrated syrup is excellent on ice cream and other desserts.
[Medieval Spanish Chef, Suey]
Ingredients:
1 lb Dates (from India)
5 quarts Water
1 lb Sugar
Redaction:
This recipe was found on the Medieval Spanish Chef website. She cites the original recipe in the 13th Century Al-Andalus Cookbook (JARABE DE DÁTILES DE LA INDIA), although I was unable to locate the recipe in my copy.
Notes:
This recipe was an Epic Fail. The resulting liquid was thoroughly unappetizing. We are not sure what went wrong. Perhaps it was the type of Dates or we didn't skim the dregs off quickly enough. The result looked like muddy water. Eithne summed it up with, “"It tastes like how pumpkin smells." We may try this one again in the future.
