Oxymel

Oxymel, as the ancient Greeks used to call a Persian period drink or syrup made up of mint leaves, vinegar and sugar. Hippocrates, used to prescribe it extensively, commenting that, among other things, “it promotes expectoration and freedom of breathing.”


In Iran this drink is called sekanjabin and is served as a refreshing drink mixed with water and grated cucumbers or eaten as a dip with romaine lettuce.

God's wrath is his vinegar, mercy his honey.
These two are the basis of every oxymel.
If vinegar overpowers honey, a remedy is spoiled.
The people of the earth poured vinegar on Noah;
the Ocean if divine Bounty poured sugar.
The Ocean replenished his sugar
and overpowered the vinegar of the world.


                                                                    -Rumi