Elixir of Sage - sage

Method

• Shake the sage leaves well to remove any wildlife (those that dont escape at this stage will become sublimely intoxicated).
• Pack the leaves into a large, wide-necked 2 1/2- to 3-cup jar.
• Fill the jar to the very top with eau-de-vie and seal with an airtight lid (if any leaves are uncovered, they will oxidize and the color of the liqueur will become dull brown).
• Give it a good shake and then place on a sunny windowsill to steep for about 1 month, remembering to give it a shake every now and then.
• When youre ready to complete the elixir, make a sugar syrup by gently heating the sugar with 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water until the sugar has dissolved.
• Allow this to cool.
• Strain the sage liquor through a sieve into a bowl.
• Stir in the sugar syrup.
• Decant into sterilized bottles (see p. 125), placing 2 or 3 of the soaked sage leaves in each bottle.
• Cork or cap with screw-caps.
• The elixir is ready to use immediately.
• Use within 1 year.