Hypocras Syrup

Sweetened spiced wines have been served as digestives for centuries. Herbs and spices were steeped in wine then filtered through conical flannel filter bags which supposedly resembled the sleeves of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician. They were initially sweetened with honey although sugar was used in later centuries. The recipe below is inspired by John Edwards adaptation of Apicius’ Conditum Paradoxum (‘Extraordinary Spiced Wine’). It makes an admirable spark