Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 c high-proof neutral grain alcohol (such as 151 proof Everclear)
1/4 c fresh grapefruit zest (packed) *
2 T fresh lemon zest (packed)
2 T gentian root (dried) **
1 1/2 c distilled water
Instructions
- Place herbal ingredients into a pint-sized mason jar and add your high-proof grain alcohol.
- Cover and shake. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 3 weeks, shaking the jar every couple of days.
- After a few weeks, strain through a coffee filter into a clean glass jar, squeezing to extract all of the liquid from the herbs.
- You should now have (close to) 1-1/2 cup of infused alcohol. If you used Everclear 151, this is 75% alcohol. To bring it down to a more palatable ~37% alcohol, dilute with an equal amount of distilled water.
- Transfer your bitters to airtight glass bottles with reducer caps, tincture dropper bottles or spray/mister bottles.
- Add to a couple of dashes to dress up water, tea, lemonade or sparkling mineral water. Take before meals or anytime the mood strikes. ♥
Notes
High proof alcohol is best for extracting the medicinal properties from the herbs, but you can substitute 80 proof vodka if that’s what you have on hand. Since vodka is only 40% alcohol, you will not need to dilute the preparation with water much, if at all.
* If you are on medications, be aware that grapefruit contains compounds called furanocoumarins that may interact with certain drugs such as statins and blood pressure meds.
** Gentian is not recommended for nursing mothers. Gentian may lower blood pressure
