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Kykeon appears frequently in ancient Greek sources, yet precise recipes for this beverage remain elusive. Ancient texts present varying and sometimes conflicting interpretations, but Homer provides valuable insight into its ingredients in both The Iliad and The Odyssey.

In The Iliad, the story unfolds with Machaon, a wounded Greek warrior, being nursed back to health with a potion made by Hecamede. The concoction consists of several ingredients: onions as a relish, honey for sweetness, and barley meal combined with Pramnian wine before being topped off with goat’s cheese. After consuming the Kykeon, both warriors quickly regain their strength and vitality, illustrating its reputed restorative properties.