Valerian Mint Cordial: The Perfect Soothing Nightcap Recipe

Instructions:

1. Sterilise the glass bottles and lids thoroughly (e.g., in a cool oven at 140°C/285°F for 15 minutes or by boiling) and allow them to air dry. Rinse and gently pat dry the peppermint leaves and measure the valerian root.
2. Make the Simple Syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a non-reactive saucepan. Heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved and the liquid is clear. Do not boil vigorously.
3. Simmer Valerian: Bring the syrup to a gentle simmer. Add the dried valerian root. Immediately reduce the heat to maintain a very light simmer for 5 minutes. Then, turn off the heat, remove the pan from the hob, and allow the valerian root to steep in the hot syrup for 20 minutes.
4. Add Mint and Cool: After the 20-minute valerian steep, add the fresh peppermint leaves to the syrup. Stir gently to submerge them. Cover the pan and let the cordial cool naturally at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours. This prevents the mint from acquiring a bitter flavor.
5. First Strain: Pour the entire mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding the spent herbs. Squeeze the solids gently to extract maximum liquid.
6. Second Strain (Clarification): Line the sieve with two layers of clean muslin or cheesecloth. Pour the strained cordial through this setup a second time to remove any fine sediment.
7. Final Adjustments and Bottling: Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Using a sterilised funnel, carefully pour the finished cordial into the prepared bottles. Seal tightly and store immediately in the refrigerator.