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Make Your Own Bitters with This Easy Recipe.

January 9, 2017 By: Anna17 Comments

make your own bitters recipe

My digestive system has always been wonky.  I can remember even as a teenager that “going to the bathroom” was a big deal. Maybe I was simply missing bitters in my diet?  So I made my own bitters and you can too.  Are you ready to end tummy woes and make your own bitters?

I thought so.

Let’s get started.

Maybe You Are a lot Like Me?

Successes and failure rose on whether I could be the queen of the toilet.

Words like constipation, colon spasms, gas, and heartburn were commonly used in my vocabulary. If I ate dairy, I felt sorry for anyone around me.

Can you relate?

My Own Gut Health

I have written about my gut health previous HERE and tried to correct it  twice.  Once the doctor made be go on a the “no” diet:  no sugar, beans, grains, dairy, nuts, and soy diet for 30 days.

The second time I went on the Microbine diet which is basically the “no diet” above with certain supplements. (You can get the book HERE.  Very interesting read.)

Both diets were helpful but I didn’t find any long term changes. I eat a much better diet than as a young adult and try and stay close to the “no diet” as much as I can.

Why Bitters?

As I mentioned in my detailed article about why we all need some bitters in our lives, as Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt explains that the bitter taste stimulates the secretion of saliva and hydrochloric acid, which helps break down the foods we consume.

Lack of hydrochloric acid  causes:

  • heartburn (check)
  • stomach ulcers
  • food intolerance (double check)
  • nutrient deficiencies.

Constipation relief is one of the benefits of consuming  bitters.  Herbalist Carol Little summed up the need for bitters quite succinctly.  She writes:

“Bile is our built in resident laxative.  When our “plumbing is humming’, many of our body’s systems work better. All is connected!”

Making  Your Own Bitters Recipe:

Make Your Own Bitters recipe

After reading about the benefits of bitters,  I decided to make my own bitters using Mountain Rose’s recipe.  There are several recipe on the internet but I wanted to use what I grow for my herb business, Anna Lee Herbs, or can wild harvest.

I must warn you before trying this recipe.  You must like the smell of licorice.  I use fennel seed in this recipe.

Fennel seed is my number #1 favorite herb for helping with colon spasms.  I incorporated it in my Tummy Tamer tea recipe blend for that very reason.    However, the fennel seed flavor in my tea recipe is much more subtle.

I think the alcohol in the bitter recipe just brings out the licorice taste.

So, are you ready to make your own bitters?

Here is the recipe:

2 parts fresh or dried organic Dandelion Root  (or HERE)

1 part dried organic Fennel Seed (Or HERE)

½ part fresh or dried organic Ginger Root (or HERE.)

½ part fresh or dried organic Orange Peel (or HERE.)

(You can buy all the above dried ingredients at Mountain Rose Herbs or Amazon.  I gave you the links above.)

My friend gave me bitter oranges which grow in my area so I used this instead of the orange peel.

Fresh vs Dry Ingredients:

bitter recipe

I opted for all fresh ingredients except the fennel seed.  They should be dried seeds. I personally believe fresh is better but not everyone has access to fresh.

If you make this recipe, either use all fresh or all dried unless you know how to mix the two. I am too new to making herbal products to tell you how to mix them.  (Anyone?)  Remember in any case, use dried fennel seeds since that’s what you want to use.

I am curious what effect unripe fennel seeds would have on this recipe.  Please weigh in.  I find green unripe fennel seeds to be so delicious.  I used them to make fennel hydrosol and was blown away how delicious the seeds are.

A Girl got to taste–you know.

So if you want to go fresh…

If you have access to dandelion roots (um, your yard…), dig them up.  They are so easy to cut up when they are fresh unlike some other root. (Yeah, I am talking to you, echinacea. What a b*tch to chop.)

Then you can make your own orange peel by simply peeling an orange.  Then take a carrot peeler to remove the orange part and leave the white part known as the pith.

Of course, you can simply  buy a ginger root. Peel it and cut it up.  That is exactly what I did.

Fennel seeds are sold in the spice aisle of your grocery store.    But price wise, you might be better off ordering it from Mountain Rose or Amazon if you plan to make a spaghetti size jar of bitters.  Pictured above is a 1/2 cup of fennel seed.

Plus, if you have any leftover, use the fennel seeds as tea or cook with them.

Make Your Own Bitter Recipe:

Instructions

1. If using fresh, fill the mason jar 1/2 full.  If using dried ingredients, fill it only 1/3rd full to allow for expansion.

2. Pour 100 percent proof vodka over the herbs and fill to the top of the jar. I used 80 proof Prairie Vodka, which is organic and gluten free.    I can’t find organic gluten free vodka in 100 percent proof.  You can buy organic grain alcohol which is 190 proof HERE and dilute it 50% with distilled water.

3. If you don’t want to use alcohol, combine 3 parts organic glycerine to 1 part distilled water.  Shake to combine and then add to your herbs.  It has a shelf live of 14-24 months. Alternatively, you can use room temperature apple cider vinegar, which has a shelf life of about one year.

Be sure to put a piece of wax paper between the lid and the tincture when using apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will pit the lid. I do the same thing when using vodka.

Organic Glycerine can be purchased HERE or HERE.  Note, Mountain Rose’s brand is organic but derived from soy. Now Foods’ version is derived from Non-GMO palm, grapeseed, or coconut oil.

4.  Store tincture in a dark cool place for 6 to 8 weeks.  Some herbalist suggest to shake it every days, while others say just shake it often.

5. Do check to make sure your alcohol hasn’t evaporated.  You don’t want your herbs floating on the top and possibly mold.

6. Strain the herbs using a cheesecloth.  Once all the liquid is remove, squeeze the herbs to remove as much liquid as you can.

I use a french press since it is easier to strain and extract the herbs. (See the picture at the beginning of the post.)

7.  Place the content in an amber dropper bottle and label it.  Keep it in a dry cool place.

8.  Use it before meals.

How Much Should I Take?

Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêts says you can take it before or after meal.

I am not a doctor so I can’t tell you how much to take before each meal.  Rosalee de la Forêt suggests:

“Dosage is highly variable here. The most important thing is to taste the bitters. 15-30 drops or a half to one full teaspoon should do it.”

You can easily add it to sparkling water.

***If you are on medication, nursing or pregnant, or have any health issue, please contact a medical doctor before taking any type of herbs.*** I can’t stress this warning enough.

What Does it Taste Like?

I am going to be honest. I don’t love tinctures.  They taste like strong cough medicine without the cherry flavoring.  This one tastes like a licorice taste but I mostly taste the alcohol.

But I take it like a big girl since I know bitters are good for me.

The benefits of bitters aren’t going to happen right away. Try and take them before each meal and see how you feel.

Join the Conversation:

Do you make your own bitters or simply add bitters to your diet?

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

There may be affiliate links in this post.  Green Talk makes some money for each purchase that you make.  Thanks for the loyalty.

 

 

 

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Carol@studiobotanica says

    January 10, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    Great article Anna! This is a classic bitters recipe and a good one. It is fine to use 80 proof or 40% alcohol to make bitters. I have rarely bothered with everclear or 100 proof. The 40% alcohol extracts the good constituents and that is what we care about.
    Personally, as I am a bitters ‘nut’, I often tincture each of the ingredients separately, which then allows me to add different amounts of each to change up the taste. I like dandelion root, angelica root, gentian root the most for the bitter herb ingredient. We can mix lots of herbs together to create different tonics. We just need to make sure that we can taste the bitter element clearly –> to receive the benefit!
    YES. In this case, you can combine fresh and dry ingredients together, and as you mentioned, need to ensure that the herbs are covered with the vodka to keep fresh. Thanks for sharing this traditional remedy and inspiring us to make it! Bitters really is the forgotten taste in our western world and deserves a ‘come back’ !!

    Reply
    • 2

      Anna says

      January 10, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      Carol, I just find tinctures to take like cough medicine. I wonder if it is just my constitution. Do you have a link to your bitter recipe. Anna

      Reply
  2. 3

    The Food Hunter says

    January 10, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    We recently tried this…it was quite the experience.

    Reply
    • 4

      Anna says

      January 10, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      What did you use to make bitters? Anna

      Reply
  3. 5

    linda spiker says

    January 10, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    I just started taking bitters and what a difference for my belly! Not in love with the taste, but I am in love with the results!

    Reply
    • 6

      Anna says

      January 10, 2017 at 5:56 pm

      Linda, I think it taste like cough medicine. 🙂 Anna

      Reply
  4. 7

    Susoe says

    January 10, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    “Yeah, I am talking to you, echinacea. What a b*tch to chop.” Lol!! What a great recipe! I’ve used store bought bitters and do notice a difference in digestion. Would like to give your recipe a try.

    Reply
    • 8

      Anna says

      January 11, 2017 at 12:40 pm

      Susoe, good to know you like bitters. Thanks for liking my humor. 🙂 Anna

      Reply
  5. 9

    Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    January 11, 2017 at 12:12 am

    I love this!!! I need to do this! I’m all out of bitters tincture and know how helpful it was when I used it. I love this version too!

    Reply
    • 10

      Anna says

      January 11, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Emily, it is so easy. You will love this recipe. Anna

      Reply
  6. 11

    Suzanne says

    January 11, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Anna, your newsletter and blog cover a wonderful range of useful stuff, with good teasers for trying out new things. Thanks!
    As an alcoholic with long-term recovery, any alcohol-based tincture is out of the question (we’re not letting THAT cat out of the bag again!). No bitter greens in my garden in January, and I’m the only one in my household who loves bitter and sour flavored. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • 12

      Anna says

      January 11, 2017 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks so much for the compliment!

      Also, thank for the gentle reminder to include a nonalcoholic version. I included both apple cider vinegar and glycerin.

      Reply
  7. 13

    Diane Hoffmaster says

    January 13, 2017 at 9:41 am

    I have plenty of tummy troubles that would probably benefit from this. I love Mountain Rose Herbs, by the way! They has such an amazing selection and great prices!

    Reply
  8. 14

    Kristen says

    January 18, 2017 at 11:51 pm

    SO educational–thanks for the information! I think this is the first time I’ve been able to actually understand bitters and how they benefit our bodies. Makes me want to try it to see the differences in my health!

    Reply
    • 15

      Anna says

      January 19, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      Kristen, interested in how you feel after you start taking bitters. Anna

      Reply
  9. 16

    Monica Mihu says

    January 20, 2017 at 8:34 am

    This is really useful advice! I will try the recipe immediately and can’t wait to see its effects. I am curious about one thing. Should I take it for a certain period of time and then take a break or there are no restrictions? 🙂

    Reply
    • 17

      Anna says

      January 21, 2017 at 11:52 am

      Monica, I am not a doctor. I would check with him or her to make sure they are not causing any problems with your health. Anna

      Reply

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