flipThe Mixed Wine of the Krater (Symposion Kykeon)
The Mixed Wine of the Krater (Symposion Kykeon)
Why this dish? When the banquet of Hera ends at Argos or Samos, the symposion comes: wine is passed around, always mixed with water in the great krater, for drinking unmixed wine is the business of barbarians, never of the gods. A few drops are first poured as a libation for the queen of Olympus before drinking to her glory.
Wine sweetened with honey and mixed with water, sometimes flavored with herbs, served cool. The quintessential social drink of Greece, never drunk neat, which closes every festive meal.
Before you bring the cup to your lips, pour a few drops on the ground for me: it is my due. And do not drink the wine as it comes from the jar, like mountain savages! Mix it with water in the krater — two parts water, one part wine — sweeten it with a little honey. Then drink slowly, talking, laughing. Thus the gods are honored without losing measure, and measure, know this, is my law.
- •Wine — one part (base)
- •Water — two to three parts (dilution)
- •Honey — a little (sweetener)
- •Aromatic herbs (thyme, mint) — a few sprigs (flavor (optional))
The Mixed Wine of the Krater (Symposion Kykeon)
Wine sweetened with honey and mixed with water, sometimes flavored with herbs, served cool. The quintessential social drink of Greece, never drunk neat, which closes every festive meal.
Why this dish? When the banquet of Hera ends at Argos or Samos, the symposion comes: wine is passed around, always mixed with water in the great krater, for drinking unmixed wine is the business of barbarians, never of the gods. A few drops are first poured as a libation for the queen of Olympus before drinking to her glory.
Before you bring the cup to your lips, pour a few drops on the ground for me: it is my due. And do not drink the wine as it comes from the jar, like mountain savages! Mix it with water in the krater — two parts water, one part wine — sweeten it with a little honey. Then drink slowly, talking, laughing. Thus the gods are honored without losing measure, and measure, know this, is my law.
Ingredients (period version)
- Wine — one part (base)
- Water — two to three parts (dilution)
- Honey — a little (sweetener)
- Aromatic herbs (thyme, mint) — a few sprigs (flavor (optional))
Ingredients
- Light red wine or grape juice for non-alcoholic version — 150 ml (base)
- Cold water — 300 ml (dilution)
- Honey — 1 tsp (sweetener)
- Fresh mint or thyme — a few leaves (flavor)
- Ice cubes (modern option) — a few (coolness)
Method
- Dissolve the honey in a little warm water.
- In a pitcher (the krater), mix the wine (or grape juice) with the cold water, in a ratio of about 1 part wine to 2 parts water.
- Add the diluted honey and the fresh herbs, lightly bruised.
- Let infuse for 10 minutes in a cool place, then serve in cups.
- As a gesture, remember to pour a first drop 'as a libation' before drinking.
How it was made : The Greeks systematically mixed their wine with water in a large vessel, the krater; drinking unmixed wine (akratos) was considered barbaric and dangerous. The symposion followed the meal and opened with libations to the gods. The kykeon, more rustic, mixed wine or water with barley and herbs.
The contemporary twist : Served chilled in a non-alcoholic version (grape juice, sparkling water, honey, mint): an 'Olympus spritz' perfect for a family or school table.
Sources : Plato, The Symposium · Xenophanes (fragments on wine mixed with water) · Athenaeus, The Deipnosophists
Hera · Charactorium
