Syrup of Maidenhair

Syrup of Maidenhair or Capillaire is a beverage. It is a syrup made from maidenhair fern leaves. The concentrate is sweetened with sugar or honey, and is mixed with a liquid, most commonly water or milk, before drinking.

In Portugal a drink called Capilè is made of syrup of maidenhair with grated lemon zest and cold water. More modern versions uses orange flower water, water and sugar.^[1]

In seventeenth-century Bavaria it was added to a hot drink made from eggs, milk, and tea.

In 18th century Europe it was used in a popular milk mixed drinks.

It is an ingredient in a popular 19th century mixed drink called the Rumfustian.^[2]

References

1. "Capillaire Syrup from The Drunken Botanist". Suzi's Blog. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
2. "19th-century student drinking habits". http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/09/19th-century-student-drinking-habits. External link in |website= (help);

George Smith (1799). The laboratory; or, School of arts. C. Whittingham for H. Symonds, 1799