Vegetarian cranberry and rosemary oxymel

Vegetarian cranberry and rosemary oxymel: a refreshing recipe with apple cider vinegar, cranberries, honey and rosemary – tart, cool and quickly mixed in the glass.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 70 kcal per serving
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbs: 18 g

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp cloudy apple cider vinegar
• 1 handful of fresh or frozen cranberries
• Ice cubes
• 300ml ice-cold sparkling water or still water
• 1 tbsp raw blossom honey
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary

Method

1. Wash the cranberries and put them in a large glass. Lightly crush them with a muddler so the juice comes out.
2. Add the apple cider vinegar, honey and rosemary sprig. Stir well until the honey has mostly dissolved.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Top up with sparkling water or still water.
4. Give it another quick stir so the cranberry juice, vinegar and honey are evenly distributed. Leave the rosemary to infuse in the glass.
5. If you like, let the drink stand for a few minutes so the rosemary flavour comes through a little more.
6. Serve well chilled and give it another quick stir before drinking.

Good to know

Tart, fresh and pleasantly bright in flavour. A glass like this feels grown-up but uncomplicated. On warm days especially, it makes a lovely little ritual break.

Swaps

Cranberries → pomegranate seeds (also contain polyphenols) | blossom honey → acacia honey (milder in flavour) | rosemary → thyme (also contains aromatic plant compounds) | sparkling water → still water (softer in the mouth)

Allergens

Contains honey and is therefore not suitable for children under 12 months; with a sensitive stomach, reflux or if vinegar doesn't agree with you, drink it with care; during pregnancy the ingredients are usually unremarkable in normal kitchen amounts.

Frequently asked questions

What's in cranberries nutritionally?

Cranberries mainly provide polyphenols, including anthocyanins, as well as some vitamin C and manganese. Fresh, they're quite tart and contain less sugar than sweet fruit.

Does apple cider vinegar provide many vitamins or minerals?

Not really. Apple cider vinegar consists mainly of water and acetic acid, with only small amounts of other plant compounds from the apple.

What does rosemary bring to a drink like this?

Rosemary contains essential oils and plant compounds such as rosmarinic acid. In the drink, it mainly adds a resinous, herbal aroma.

How does honey compare with sugar?

Honey is also mainly sugar, chiefly fructose and glucose, plus small amounts of enzymes and plant compounds.

Can the drink be a problem for a sensitive stomach?

Yes, the combination of acidity, fizz and raw cranberries can be irritating if you have reflux, gastritis or a very sensitive stomach. In that case, still water is often more pleasant, or dilute the drink more.

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