Roots tonic

Ingredients

Roots and barks

• 100 gchaney root
• 60 gsarsaparilla root
• 60 gstrong back
• 40 gmedina
• 40 gsarsi
• a piece of dried bissy, or kola nut

Aromatics

• 1cinnamon stick
• 6cloves
• 1thumb ginger, sliced
• 1star anise
• 1strip of orange peel

Liquid

• 4 litreswater

To finish

• 150 gbrown sugar or molasses, to taste
• 2 tbsplinseed, if wanted

Note

• several of these roots have real pharmacological activity

Directions

1. Rinse them under cold running water. Scrub any that are visibly dirty with a stiff brush. Break the larger pieces up with a hammer or a heavy knife. Put the cleaned roots in a large pot. Cover them with all of the water.
2. Leave them to soak there overnight. Bring the whole pot to the boil. Add the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, star anise and orange peel.
3. Simmer it for at least two hours. Some makers boil it for four hours or more. Top it up with water if it reduces too far. It should end up almost black.
4. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Strain it again through a cloth if you want it clear.
5. Discard all of the spent roots. Sweetening it is done to taste. Stir the brown sugar or molasses into the hot liquid. Taste it carefully as you go along. It should stay clearly bitter under the sweetness.
6. Boil the linseed separately in a little water. It produces a slippery thick gel. Strain it and stir it into the tonic. Let the tonic cool completely.
7. Pour it into clean glass bottles. Refrigerate it once it is cold. Serve it cold, in a small glass rather than a tumbler.

Technique

• Several of these roots have real pharmacological activity and can interact with medication.
• Anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication should not drink it.
• It should stay clearly bitter; sweetening it into a soft drink misses the point.

Substitutions

• Ready-mixed roots tonic packs, sold in Jamaican shops.
• Bottled commercial roots tonic, which is widely sold.

Variations

• With linseed for a thicker drink.
• With Irish moss blended in, which is common.
• Left to ferment, which produces a mildly alcoholic version.

History

Sold from carts and roadside shops as a strength tonic, using chaney root, sarsaparilla and other bush ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

What is Roots tonic?

Roots tonic is a drink from Jamaica: bitter dark brew of boiled roots and barks, drunk in small glasses. Sold from carts and roadside shops as a strength tonic, using chaney root, sarsaparilla and other bush ingredients.

How long does Roots tonic take to make?

Roots tonic takes 30 min plus overnight soaking of preparation and 2 hours of cooking. The recipe makes about 2 litres. It is rated medium to make.

What can I substitute in Roots tonic?

Yes, within limits. Ready-mixed roots tonic packs, sold in Jamaican shops. Bottled commercial roots tonic, which is widely sold.

What is the most important thing to get right in Roots tonic?

Leave them to soak there overnight. Bring the whole pot to the boil. Add the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, star anise and orange peel.