Witchy Kitchen Brews!

Every good witch should be able to make a magical brew!  In my kitchen right now I have a new experiment along with a tried and true process going.  First is my new brew:  home made Grand Marnier orange liquor.   I got this recipe from James Green's book "The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook", one of the best books for learning how to make herbal products yourself.  You need a half gallon jar--wide mouth opening.  Into that jar pour 250 ml of good brandy (a little over a cup).  I used a bottle of excellent Cognac that I had been given but don't really like.  To that you add 2/3 C sugar.  DO NOT mix or stir!!! (I don't know why!) Then take a juicy organic orange (make sure first that it easily fits thru the mouth of your jar--mine almost didn't!)  Stick 4 tooth picks into it, one on each side and level with each other.  Tie strings to each toothpick to suspend the orange in the jar.  You want the orange an inch or two above the brandy.  Have holes in the lid to run the string thru and tie so it stays in place.  This will have to sit for 10 days and the liqour will evaporate, catch on the orange, collect the essential oils and drip back down!!  YUM!!  Each day you are suppose to carefully turn the jar one complete 360 degree turn---DO NOT lift up or shake or jostle the jar, just turn it while it sits on the counter.  I turn mine clockwise to bring in positive energy (counter clockwise drives out negative energy which is not needed) .  I say a little incantation to the kitchen gods and spirits while I do it and will give them a taste as an offering when it is done!!! The sugar can be mixed up with the brandy when the orange is removed, then enjoy!!!

My other brewing is homemade Kombucha.  Kombucha is a bacterial colony that you put into sweetened tea to make a very healthy drink.  It is very expensive to buy at the natural food stores but very easy and cheap to make yourself.  The process is lengthy so follow the link below (given to me by a wonderful friend who is also a witch and an herbalist!) to learn the process:
This link shows you how to start your "mother" (the bacterial colony)
http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-grow-a-kombucha-scoby/

This link shows how to do the double fermentation to add fruit juice and flavor!
http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-brew-kombucha-double-fermentation-method/

The picture above shows my canning jars waiting with organic black cherry juice to have the fermented tea added.  It also shows the pitcher of tea that has already fermented and the "mother" removed to a bowl while I pour the tea into the jars.  It is kind of a slimy mess but fun to make!!!  I have experimented with many flavors of juice.  In the summer, when my herb garden is up and going, I put fresh herbs in. Thyme, basil, lavender, and ginger root make good additions. Never add herbs or ginger to the main pitcher of tea--herbs have anti-bacterial properties and could kill your "mother".  Add them to the jars of fruit juice!  Below, the jars with juice and tea ready to ferment for a couple of days!!  Enjoy!!  Have fun and experiment!!