Step 1

Combine the hackberries with the water and puree in a blender for 45 seconds to one minute, or until you have a smooth beige liquid.

Step 2

If you don't have a highspeed blender, grind the berries in a coffee grinder first before blending.

Step 3

Pour the hackberry milk into a pot, cover, and simmer on low for about 30 minutes.

Step 4

After 30 minutes, strain the hackberry milk through a strainer, resisting the urge to press the solids through. Swirl the strainer, or let it drain naturally, just don't press on it.

Step 5

Alternately, you can cook with the hackberry milk as-is, since, after diluting with other ingredients (if you're making soup, for example) you'll barely notice the texture. You can also let the seed fragments settle and pour off the top layer of liquid.

Step 6

To serve as a drink, season the hackberry milk with a pinch of cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup, heat, and serve in small glasses. If you taste it and want a stronger flavor, you can cook it down to concentrate it.