Homemade Cocktail Bitters and Low-Intensity Bitters "Cocktail"
From Rebecca Firkser, POPSUGAR Food
Notes
For sourcing botanicals, Mountain Rose Herbs [1] is a great choice for bulk organic herbs, but the price can get fairly steep. High Desert Botanicals [2] offers several slightly more affordable bitters kits, even some that come with dropper bottles, which are perfect for displaying bitters on your bar cart! You can also find dropper bottles on Amazon [3].
Ingredients
- For bitters:
Botanicals, like angelica root, wormwood, wild cherry bark, birch bark, quassia wood
Flavoring agents, like cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, star anise, black/white/pink peppercorns, coriander pods, cocoa nibs, coffee beans, citrus peel, dried cherries/cranberries/apples, chili flakes/small dried chillies, lavender, mint, lemongrass, rosemary, sage
High-proof (100+ proof) grain alcohol, vodka, rum, or bourbon
Mason jars
Sticky notes
Fine mesh sieve
Funnel
Dropper bottles (I used 4-ounce bottles)
Labels
- For low-intensity bitters "cocktail"
Ice
Club soda or tonic water
1/2 ounce pomegranate juice
Bitters
Lemon slice
Directions
- For the bitters: Run mason jars and dropper bottles through the dishwasher or wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Combine equal parts of dried botanicals in a bowl, and pour 4 ounces of liquor into each mason jar. Measure 2 tablespoons botanicals into each jar. Add flavoring agents of your choice by the teaspoon to each jar (I made 3), then seal jar tightly. Give the jars a good shake, then attach a sticky note to each jar that lists the flavor.
- Now comes the hard part: the waiting. Place your jars in a neutral temperature (the liquor cabinet or bar cart shelf is a good spot). Leave your bitters alone for at least 6 days, then check every few days for up to several weeks. Note: if using chillies, I suggest testing the mixture often and removing them after the first 6 days, as they make the bitters extremely spicy!
- When the bitters have reached your desired flavor, strain out the botanicals and flavorings through a fine mesh sieve into a liquid measuring cup.
- Pour strained bitters into dropper bottle and seal. Display front and center on your bar cart!
- For the cocktail: Place a few ice cubes in a highball glass. Fill the glass most of the way full with club soda or tonic water, then add pomegranate juice. Top with a few drops of bitters. Stir gently, and garnish with a lemon slice.
Information
- Category
- Drinks, Cocktails
- Cuisine
- North American