[SCA-AE] Sekanjabin variations?

[Iain mac an Bhaird]

>1) Are there variations on the recipe?

Sure.  I've seen versions with mint (as you describe), lemon, 
rosehips, pomegranate, etc.
This is one of those types of beverages that you can modify and 
experiment with to your heart's content.

>2) Would period sugar vary greatly from what we call sugar today? And what
>is the closest substitute to period sugar?

I'm far from an expert on period sugars, but I imagine that brown 
sugar or "raw" sugar would be closer than the refined white stuff we 
have on hand nowadays.  Honey would certainly have been used.

-Iain