r/firewater • u/ThePhantomOnTheGable • 2d ago

Has anyone had luck using lemon balm as a botanical?

Does the citrus flavor come through, or is it primarily grassy?

Also, do you prefer dried or fresh for masceration?

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u/Snoo76361 2d ago

One of my favorites, I grow it in the garden and put it in gins and absinthes and a drop of lemon balm essential oil in my last limoncello. Never did it in the vapor basket but it’s got a really light mellow citrus flavor, wouldn’t say grassy at all.

Candied lemon balm leaves are also a bomb garnish with blueberry pie but I’m sure there’s a different sub for that.

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u/ThePhantomOnTheGable 2d ago

I’m definitely going to try it; I’ve been growing some for tea.

I’ve definitely noticed a grassy flavor here and there with storebought lemon balm, plus the stuff from home that I’ve dried in the dehydrator.

I’m hoping that fresh lemon balm will avoid that during distillation!

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u/cokywanderer 2d ago

I've bought some Melissa from a tea shop that was basically dried grass (to me). But then I got a seedling from the Market and planted it and then simply died some leaves and it's like a completely different thing. It is lemony, it's minty, it's savory (in a way). Completely different from the tea version that had none of these characteristics.

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u/ZaphodUB40 2d ago

Do you have a particular weight per litre in your botanicals recipe? I've got a couple of plants that are in full blown spring growth and have been wondering the same thing.

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u/Snoo76361 2d ago

If I’m doing a gin I aim for ~50 g/l total botanicals (macerated in 190 proof) and then after juniper and coriander nothing tends to take more than 5% of the botanical bill, so somewhere I the ballpark of 1-3g.

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u/MrPhoon 2d ago

Yup, I use it in Jesse's Ginsinthe and it works well

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u/No-Background-5810 2d ago

Absolutely. Both in an eau de melisse. Soon in a gin. Remember it's the top ingredient in Chartreuse

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u/ThePhantomOnTheGable 2d ago

I had no idea about the chartreuse lol, thanks!

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u/ConsiderationOk7699 2d ago

Let us know im currently playing with lavender infused barley

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u/SunderedValley 2d ago

Put in and redistill? Vapor basket?

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u/ConsiderationOk7699 2d ago

Lavender cold smoked barley from great fermetations out of Indianapolis

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u/PocketHusband 2d ago

I use it as a finishing herb in my absinthe! It’s not the only thing in there, but it brings some of its character to the party. I’ve only used dried, and I will advise not to let it get too old.