Heather honey is produced by bees from the nectar, which they gather from the violet and purple heather flowers.
The nectar is a sweet liquid secreted by the flowers to attract pollinators such as bees and other insects.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is also known as ling or Scotch heather.
It's a small plant growing in nutrient-poor soil in open areas, such as wet and dry heaths, fields and moors.
Honey made from the nectar of heather flowers is light brown with a wonderful, distinctive and aromatic taste.
Recipe
Use pure heather honey of good quality.
In fact, you can use any good quality honey - there are hundreds of unique flavours to choose from. Try for instance Acacia, Lime, Clover or Sunflower.
However, in this recipe I have chosen to use heather honey, because it makes such a wonderful schnapps.
Direction:
In a clean glass jar, combine 350 gram pure heather honey and 1 deciliter boiling water.
Add - a little at a time - 35 centiliter clear, unflavoured vodka - 40% alcohol content (80 proof).
Stir until completely blended.
Steep for at least 2 months in a dark place at room temperature, 18-20°C (64-68°F).
Shake well morning and evening for about a week.
Hereafter - shake and taste it from time to time.
Your schnapps is ready now. But some storage (aging) improves the taste. Remember to store in a dark place at room temperature.
If necessary, dilute it to suit your taste with the same type of vodka you used as base. Leave it a couple of days to settle.
Serve your heather honey schnapps at room temperature in suitable glasses. And remember to keep your schnapps bottle tightly closed and in a dark place before and between servings.