Drink the Harvest: Making and Preserving Juices, Wines, Meads, Teas, and Ciders

Nan K. Chase presents a practical guide to transforming garden produce into beverages in Drink the Harvest. The text moves beyond traditional preservation methods like jamming to explore liquid alternatives. It covers the creation of teas, syrups, ciders, wines, and kombuchas using fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The book is organized into three main sections: sourcing ingredients from the garden, making juices and fermented drinks, and crafting syrups and teas. Readers will find instructions in chapters such as Growing a beverage garden and Creating fruit & vegetable drinks. Chase offers advice on harvesting for maximum flavor and suggests establishing a dedicated backyard beverage garden. The volume includes simple recipes alongside photographs to illustrate the process. It addresses both non-alcoholic options like juices and alcoholic varieties such as meads and wines. The content draws on seasonal cooking traditions and preserving techniques. This guide suits home growers interested in extending their harvest into drinks. It may not appeal to those seeking only commercial production methods or those without access to garden space.