Aoctli (A-oct-ly)

An alcoholic beverage of fermented honey mixed with water, and sometimes with various fruits, spices or grains.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The type of honey used determines the overarching flavor of the aoctli, and can vary according to a honey bee’s particular diet of nectar and pollen. Traditional aoctli often uses a mild honey derived from orange blossom, clover or acacia. 
Wildflower, blackberry and buckwheat honeys produce sturdier spiced drinks. Additionally; there are sweet, dry, still or sparkling variants that contains juices or fruits like melons, raspberries, apples or laced with roses.

Manufacturing process

Mild Brew

1. Combine 2 parts honey and 3 parts water
2. Boil the honey/water mixture
   • Lemons and coca tea can be added for a darker colour
3. Leave alone for 4 to 6 weeks
4. Resulting aoctli is collected and stored for 12 months
5. From this point on, the concoction is maturing and will continue to mature for 12 more months inside a Wantu

Medicine

• Certain kinds mixed with herbs or spices make them more palatable
  • different varieties are thought to improve digestion, help with depression and alleviate anxiety

Significance

Tampu Wasi

A gathering place and house of the ruler in the Land of Honey. They are sumptuously decorated with straw roofs that appeared to shine like gold from a distance, and is a space of great importance and power.

Aoctli Killa

A period of time following a marriage whereby the couple drink aoctli for a full moon cycle, traditionally supplied by the bride's father. The essence is thought to ensure a fruitful and plentiful union.

Alternate Names

• Ñupchu
• Divine Dew

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Manufacturer

Third Quadrant

Related ethnicities

• Honey People

Owning Organization

Tawantinsuyu

Rarity

Aoctli is common in the Third Quadrant, but a luxury in the other three quadrants.

Raw materials & Components

• 2 Wantu of Honey
• 3 Wantu of Water
• Optional Additions of Nutritional Sources:
  • fresh or dried berries, grapes or plums
  • small bunches of wild, unsprayed botanicals such as wildflower, violets and dandelions

Tools

• Clay or Wooden vessels
• Wooden spoon
• A piece of cloth

Discovery
The first batch was a chance discovery: Early makers drank the contents of a rainwater-flooded beehive that had fermented naturally in the open air.