noun
medicinal drink made from plants steeped in mirin
A traditional Japanese health drink prepared by steeping medicinal herbs or plants in mirin (sweet cooking rice wine).
祖母は毎年、庭の薬草で薬味酒を作る。
My grandmother makes medicinal mirin-steeped liquor every year using herbs from her garden.
薬酒 is a broader term for medicinal liquor, while 薬味酒 specifically uses mirin as the base.
Compound of 薬味 (yakumi, 'medicinal herbs/spices') + 酒 (shu, 'alcoholic drink'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it refers to a traditional preparation method.