This is an incredibly easy-to-make and delicious, effervescent beverage that truly captures the moment! A breath of fresh forest Spring air indeed. If youâre looking to add some variety to your ferment rotation, this one really spruces things up đÂ
Like many wild plants, spruce tips have wild yeasts all over them. You can consider these yeasts the âstarterâ for your ferment, and in combination with just sugar and water, will produce a delicious drink youâll be proud to enjoy in a week or two.
Approach the tree with respect and ask permission to take from it. Pick the spruce tips from wild trees, preferably away from dirt or gravel roads, after at least a few days of dry weather – heavy rain washes the natural yeasts away. Do not wash them after harvesting for the same reason đ
Ingredients
- 3.5 oz / 100g fresh, young spruce tips (a couple large handfuls)
- 5 cups / 1.25 litres  filtered water
- ½ cup / 111g unbleached cane sugar preferably organicÂ
- A squeeze of lemon or lime, for serving
Equipment
- A large, sterilized, sealable glass jar (or two smaller ones)
- Flip-top bottle
Directions
- Stir the water and sugar together in the jar to dissolve. Add the spruce tips and fold to combine. Place the lid on lightly, and set somewhere away from direct sunlight, but a spot youâll see every day. Open the lid once a day to release any excess gas.
- Fermentation should start between day 3 and 5. You will notice small signs like tiny bubbles forming around the spruce tips or foam rising to the top of the jar.
- Taste the liquid on day 6. If it is still very sweet and you would like it to be more tangy, or complex, allow it to ferment until it is to your liking – up to 20 days. Be advised that the longer it ferments, the more likely it is to develop a bit of alcohol, so be aware of that.
- You can enjoy the Forest Sprite at this stage (serve over ice with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice), or strain out the spruce tips and bottle the liquid in the flip-top bottle. Leave the bottle sealed, at room temperature for another day or until the bubbles to be more pronounced. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three months. Say thank you to the trees, and enjoy!
