Red Shiso Drink

[helenjp]

Red Shiso Drink

This syrup is usually drunk with about 2-3 parts of water and ice. It has a faintly medicinal, herbal flavor.

Best kept in the fridge.

By the way, although it is possible to save shiso seed from your own plants if you wish to grow it yourself, the color tends to become less and less intense without rigorous selection - probably better to buy commercial seed each year.

• 300 g red perilla (shiso) leaves, 1 bunch
  
• 2 pt water
  
• 1 c sugar, honey, or sweetener - to taste
  
• 1 T lemon juice, optional
  
• 1/2 c rice vinegar or cider vinegar
  

Wash shiso thoroughly, tear shiso (perilla) leaves off main stem (no need to be fanatical about it, small stems don't matter).

Soak in plenty of water, as shiso tends to be dusty.

Bring water to the boil, add shiso, boil 2-3 minutes or until red shiso leaves have turned greenish, and water is a dark bluey-purple.

Drain leaves, reserving water.

Dissolve sweetener or sugar in hot water, add lemon juice and vinegar. Once vinegar is added, the color should be an intense magenta pink, like Campari. Add more vinegar if color seems muddy. Allow to cool, bottle, and keep refrigerated.

Keywords: Non-Alcoholic Beverage

( RG1099 )