Pink Drink

[myfanwy-65.livejournal.com]

This is regarded as a potent flower potion, because carnations were used to spice up wines and foods and were also a symbol of passionate love to the Romans - and to modern Italians. They have a wonderful clove-like taste, but you must use the real thing - called clove pink or clove carnation. Sipping this with someone you like quite well could move the relationship on to a higher plateau


You will need:

1 cinnamon stick

petals from about 6 clove carnations (approx. 100g fresh flowers)

a pinch of ground ginger

100g brown sugar

500ml spring water

a few drops of glycerin

sparkling mineral water or lemonade to serve


Put the first five ingredients in a saucepan and bring very slowly to the boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer for about ten minutes, when the syrup begins to thicken, remove from the heat and cool. Add a few drops of glycerin, and the mixture will become pinker. Make up your potion by straining about 30ml of this liquid into a glass and topping up with sparkling water or lemonade. If you're not a teetotaler it is also delicious added to champagne - and will turn it a gentle rose color