Description
Bitters add beautiful interest and depth to drinks and cocktails as well as being an important health tonic that can boost digestion and balance liver health. Making your own bitters is a fun and easy project that takes very little hands-on time!
Ingredients
Liver Tonic Bitters
- 1-pint jar with a tight-fitting lid
- 1/4 grapefruit (about 1/2 cup), peel and all cut into small pieces
- 1/2 tablespoon artichoke leaves
- 2 tablespoon dandelion root (not roasted)
- 1 tablespoon burdock root
- 1 teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
- 1/8 cup honey (optional- adjust to taste)
- 1 1/2– 2 cups vodka or brandy
Digest Well Bitters
- 1-pint jar with a tight-fitting lid
- 1/2 pear, firm just barely ripe
- 1 inch or 1 tablespoon fresh sliced ginger
- 1 teaspoon gentian root
- 6 Cardamom pods, cracked
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
- 3 whole star anise
- 2 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon orange peel
- 1 1/2 –2 cups Vodka or Brandy
Rooty Whiskey Bitters
- 1-pint jar with a tight-fitting lid
- 2 tablespoon toasted hazelnuts or pecans
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
- 1 teaspoon coffee beans
- 1 teaspoon sarsaparilla
- 10 peppercorns
- 1/8 cup roasted Dandelion root (preferably not powdered)
- 1/8 cup maple syrup (optional-adjust to taste)
- 1 1/2–2 cups whiskey
Ruby Brandy Bitters
- 1 pint jar with tight-fitting lid
- 2 tablespoon schisandra berries
- 2 tablespoon hibiscus flower petals
- 1 tablespoon Rose petals
- 1/2 teaspoon orange peel
- 1/4 cup honey (optional- adjust to taste)
- 1–1 1/2 cups brandy
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in jar.
- Seal with lid.
- Shake at least once a day, agitation will help flavors and nutrients release more readily.
- Let infuse 1-2 weeks, tasting every few days.
- Filter and bottle. (Here are the dropper bottles we used.)
Notes
Vinegar can be used instead of alcohol. (I have not tried it but it would be interesting to experiment with.)
It is advised to use at least 80 proof grain alcohol. No need to splurge on fancy here. I often will use 100 proof as stronger extracts more flavor and medicinal components of the botanicals.
I often omit the sweetener until the bitters have fully infused. This allows for adjusting to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 tablespoon
- Calories: 18
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 0.4 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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