Hippocras

Hippocras is a medieval spiced wine. It was believed to be of use against many diseases. It can be served chilled either before or at the end of the meal, with the desserts. It can also be served warm. Beware that it is quite stronger than wine.

• Ready In: 4 hrs
• Yields: 5 liters

Ingredients

• 5  liters red wine (not too aged and strong, I use Grignolino)
• 750  g sugar
• 40  g ground cinnamon
• 40  g ground ginger
• 20  g ground galangal

Directions

1. Mix the dry ingredients into the wine, till most of the sugar dissolves.
2. Let sit for 2 hours, stirring every now and then.
3. Filter the wine, eliminating all the spices, several times, so as to obtain a clear liquid. I use a cloth towel bag to filter out most of the spice, and then pass the wine in a percolating filter, that works fine.
4. Bottle and let sit in a cool place for at least a couple of days. Best after a month or two.