Love ‘em or hate ‘em, bitter foods serve a purpose: they signal to your body that it’s time to fire up the digestive tract! But if you typically shy away from bitter foods, this homemade bitters recipe may just change your mind. With flavors like earthy cacao, delicate rose, and sweet cherry, you’re left with a cheerful, uplifting blend that doesn’t taste so, ahem, bitter.
If the idea of making your own bitters feels intimidating, just remember: all you need is a little time. No special skills or equipment are required. Simply soak botanicals in a solvent (we like Everclear Grain Alcohol) to extract the flavors.
When you’re done, strain out the solids, add a splash of cherry juice for sweetness, and store the leftover bitters in a separate jar. Take a few drops under the tongue at mealtime to kickstart digestion and reap the belly benefits. That’s all there is to it!
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What Are Bitters?
Bitters are an herbal concoction made by soaking bitter herbs and roots in a solvent, such as grain alcohol. As it sits, the high-proof alcohol dissolves and extracts the beneficial compounds. Additional herbs are used to enhance the overall flavor and make the flavor more appetizing.
When taken before a meal, bitters may help to:
- Support healthy digestion
- Awaken taste receptors in the mouth
- Stimulate the secretion of digestive juices
- Soothe occasional stomach discomfort
Ingredients
Gentian root and Everclear are the stars in this recipe, as they’re what make up your base bitters. Everything else simply elevates the experience, so feel free to tweak the optional herbs and botanicals as you see fit.
Cacao Nibs: Cacao nibs add richness and complexity to the bitters. The natural bitterness of cacao complements the bitterness of the gentian root, and the subtle chocolate notes help enhance the depth of flavor.
Rose Petals: Some people believe that rose petals may have mild calming and mood-enhancing properties. While that may or not be true, we love rose petals for the delicate, floral quality they give to bitters.
Wild Cherry Bark: Wild cherry bark adds a subtle cherry flavor and a touch of sweetness to the bitters.
Gentian Root: A common ingredient in most bitters recipes, gentian root is what makes bitters taste bitter.
Everclear Grain Alcohol: The high-proof grain alcohol is used as the base for extracting flavors from the botanicals. Its high alcohol content helps extract the active compounds from the herbs and ensures a potent and concentrated final product. The alcohol also acts as a preservative, allowing the bitters to have a longer shelf life.
Cherry Juice: Added at the very end, cherry juice gives the bitters a little extra sweetness.
Instructions
Remember that making bitters is a creative process, and you can adjust the ingredients and proportions to suit your taste preferences.
Step 1 | Grind ingredients
Crush the cacao nibs and dried rose petals to release their flavors and break them into smaller pieces.
If the gentian root and wild cherry bark are in large pieces, you can crush or grind them to increase the surface area.
Step 2 | Combine + cover
Place all the crushed or ground ingredients in a clean glass jar.
Add the Everclear and fully cover the botanicals. Stir the herbs with a wooden spoon to make sure everything's evenly distributed.
Step 4 | Infuse + strain
Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days to ensure the ingredients are evenly infused.
Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or measuring cup. You may need to strain it multiple times to remove all the sediment.
Step 5 | Sweeten + bottle
At this point, you can sweeten your bitters with cherry juice, if desired. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more if needed.
Then pour into a dark glass bottle with a dropper lid. Label and date your bitters before stashing in a cool, dark pantry for long-term storage.
How to Take Homemade Bitters for Digestion
While I would usually say to take bitters however you like, the whole point is to taste them! So it's best if you take a few drops of bitters directly under the tongue, either before or directly after meals.
If you absolutely can't stand the taste, then dilute it in a small amount of water. Just remember: if you don't taste them, they won't work.
You can take bitters 3-6 times a day and use within 1 year. Avoid if you're pregnant or nursing.
Related DIYs
Looking for more ways to use Everclear? Try these:
Homemade Cocoa Cherry Rose Bitters Recipe
Equipment
- 16-once glass jar with lid
- Cheesecloth or mesh strainer
- 2 4-ounce dropper bottles or an 8-ounce bottle
Materials
- 1 cup Everclear Grain Alcohol
- ¼ cup cacao nibs
- 2 tablespoon dried rose petals
- 1 tablespoon gentian root
- 1 tablespoon wild cherry bark
- cherry juice as needed for sweetness
Instructions
- Crush the cacao nibs and dried rose petals to release their flavor and break them into smaller pieces. If the gentian root and wild cherry bark are in large pieces, you can crush or grind them to increase the surface area.
- Place all the crushed or ground ingredients in a clean glass jar. Pour the Everclear over the ingredients, making sure it fully covers the botanicals. Stir the herbs with a wooden spoon to make sure everything's evenly distributed.
- Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool, dark place for about 1 week. Shake the jar gently every few days.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or measuring cup. You may need to strain it multiple times to remove all the sediment.
- Sweeten your bitters with cherry juice, if desired. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more if needed.
- Pour into a bottle with a dropper lid. Label and date your bitters before stashing in a cool, dark pantry for long-term storage. Use within one year.
This post was created in partnership with Everclear® Grain Alcohol. You can find Everclear at your local retailer or online via Cask Cartel, Caskers, or Drizly. You can also search Everclear’s product locator page online
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