Hippocras

The Hypocras, in other spellings also hipocras hippo crass, ypocrasse, ypocras, hypocras, hyppocras, ipocras or ippocras, was a. With honey, and later with sugar, heavily sweetened red spiced wine, which was ascribed medical properties in the Middle Ages The drink was usual for the then very expensive spices only at the courts of kings and wealthy nobles. The white variety of Hypocras called in Saxon Wine and wine books Claret.

Production

A classic recipe from Taillevent, the personal chef of Charles V, sees cinnamon, cloves and orange blossom before as flavoring ingredients. Other typical ingredients are ginger, cardamom and rose water instead of orange blossoms, but also marjoram, nutmeg and pepper before came. The name was inspired by the Greek physician Hippocrates.

History

Spice wines were known to the Romans. They spread wines as food and medicine in their provinces. So three recipes in natural history, Pliny the Elder are listed. These wines were called in Rome conditum paradox.

The Knights Templar and physician Arnau de Vilanova mentioned in his writings, Hippocrates, in ancient Catalan Ipocras, and gave a recipe, used the cinnamon. The spice wines reminiscent of the now drunk mulled wine and Feuerzangenbowlen.

Basler Hypokras

The now popular even in Basel Hypokras is made ​​from various red and white wine, sugar, lemon zest and the spices cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, coriander and cardamom. This Hypokras is first mentioned in the Middle Ages. 1523, the Great Council of Basel allowed to trade with this sweet wine. He is drunk before the hour and after the turn of the year, common Basler Läckerli to be served. The name was probably derived from Manica Hippocratis, a then used by doctors textile filter bag made ​​of felt, which was also used in the preparation of wine.

Swell

• André Dominé: The art of the aperitif. Recipes, Drinks, Philosophy. Kunstverlag Weingarten, 1989, ISBN 3-8170-0013-8, p.21