Title: Sima - Finnish May Day Drink - Pronounced (See-Mah)
Categories: Beverages Finnish
Yield: 24 Servings
| 10 | qt | Water;fresh pure |
| 2 | | Lemons;fine |
| 2 1/2 | c | Brown sugar |
| 2 1/2 | c | White sugar |
| 1/3 | c | Dark corn syrup;optional |
| 1/4 | ts | Dry yeast |
| | | Raisins |
Shave the yellow peel from the lemons, cutting very thinly so that as
little of the white underlayer as possible is attached. Set the yellow
slices aside. Then peel the bitter white underlayer off and discard it.
Slice the lemons into very thin slices. Place them into a container and
cover them so they don't dry out.
Boil the water in a large kettle. Remove it from the heat and stir in the
yellow lemon peel, the sugars, and the syrup. When the sugars have
dissolved, cover the kettle and let the contents cool to room temperature
(25'C or 75'F). Then add the lemon slices and the yeast. Leave it to stand
overnight.
Place 4-5 raisins and a teaspoon of white sugar in the bottom of each of
several clean bottles (wine or soda pop). Pour the sima into the bottles,
straining it through a sieve to remove the lemon. Cap the bottle tightly.
The sima will be ready to drink when the raisins rise to the top of the
bottles, about 3-7 days depending on the temperature of the room where they
are stored. Serve it well chilled.