for hippocras were made until the 19th century, when it fell out of favor. This wine is made with sugar and spices. Sugar then was considered to be medicine and the spices varied according to the recipes. The main spices are: cinnamon, ginger, clove, grains of paradise and long pepper. An English text specifies that sugar was uniquely for the lords and honey was for the people. Since the 17th century, spiced wines, in France, have been generally prepared with fruits (apples, oranges, almonds) and musk or ambergris. In England, in 1723, there was a recipe for red hippocras containing milk and brandy. The drink was well liked during medieval and Elizabethan times. Moreover, doctors prescribed it to aid digestion. It was served at most banquets all over Europe. The drink was highly prized during the high and late Middle Ages. In France, it has been noted as the favorite drink of notorious baron Gilles de Rais, who reportedly drank several bottles every day and had his victims drink it prior to assault. Later, King Louis XIV of France was also known to enjoy it. In those times, the drink was a highly valued gift item, in the same vein as jam and fruit preserves. Hippocras fell out of fashion and was forgotten during the 18th century. In France, hypocras is still produced in the Ariège and Haute Loire areas, though in very small quantities. Since 1996 the population of Basel celebrate on New Year's morning the so-called "Aadringgede" (a drinking cheer). The "Dreizack"-fountain in the "Freiestrasse" will be filled with hippocras, spelled in the Swiss German of Basel, "Hypokras". In Basel it is a tradition in winter to drink Hypokras and eat the famous Basler Läggerli (biscuits) with it. The drink may have eventually inspired the Spaniards in their creation of sangria. While sweeter than hippocras, sangria is still often made with spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. See also Ancient Greece and wine Mulled wine Culinary Heritage of Switzerland References Further reading External links Hippocras Ancient wine Swiss wine Cocktails with wine Medieval wine Culinary Heritage of Switzerland