The quick changes in temps during fall months can often leave us feeling run down and sluggish. This fall elixir uses fresh ginger and cinnamon to stimulate and warm you up. Plus, we added a dash of homemade ginseng tincture to keep you healthy and energetic even as cold weather tempts us to hibernate indoors.
This sweet and spicy sipper does more than just taste good—it delivers a host of body-boosting benefits thanks to ginseng, spices, lemons, and pears.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: a tincture, really? Yes! And it’s totally easy to make your own at home!
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What Is a Tincture?
Tinctures date back centuries, with roots in herbal medicine practices across the globe. They were traditionally used to extract and preserve the medicinal properties of herbs, often in alcohol, long after the herbs themselves had lost their freshness. And they continue to be a commonly used herbal remedy to this day.
Thanks to its high alcohol content, Everclear Grain Alcohol makes the perfect solvent, efficiently extracting essential oils, flavors, and other beneficial properties from plants. Because Everclear is relatively flavorless, it allows the tincture to capture the pure essence of the herb without adding a strong taste or aroma from the alcohol itself.
Ingredients
Tinctures take several weeks to extract, so you’ll need to start this process well before making your pear elixir.
Ginseng Tincture
- Dried ginseng root - Use pre-cut ginseng slices, dried cut root pieces, or even powder. I would avoid large pieces because they’re nearly impossible to cut.
- Everclear Grain Alcohol - You need about 5 parts Everclear to 1 part ginseng. However, you can adjust this based on your preferences. More ginseng will result in a stronger tincture, while more grain alcohol will make it a little weaker.
Pear Elixir
- Pears
- Apple juice
- Fresh ginger
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Lemon
- Ginseng tincture
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Make the tincture: Place the cut ginseng in a clean, dry glass jar. Pour the Everclear over the ginseng, covering it completely.
Steep in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks (or up to 6 months, if you have the patience). Shake the jar gently every few days to ensure proper extraction.
Strain the tincture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer into a clean glass container, squeezing out as much liquid as possible from the ginseng.
Pour the strained tincture into dark glass dropper bottles and label with the date of preparation and the type of tincture.
Make the elixir: Combine pears, apple juice, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a glass.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice and 20 drops of ginseng tincture and stir again. Garnish with pear and sage. Drink 1–3 times daily.
Substitutions
Many herbs are well-suited for tinctures and can promote fall wellness and provide comfort during the colder months. Here are some popular herbs to consider for fall tinctures:
- Echinacea: Echinacea is renowned for its immune-boosting properties, making it an excellent addition to fall tinctures.
- Astragalus: This herb is known for its adaptogenic properties, which help increase your body’s resilience to stress.
- Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon has a delightful, warming flavor and may help regulate blood sugar levels, which is helpful for fall wellness tinctures.
- Licorice: Licorice root can soothe the throat and promote respiratory health. It also adds a sweet flavor to your tinctures.
- Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is known for its potential cognitive benefits, including improved memory and concentration.
- Rose hips: Rose hips are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants, making them a valuable addition to immune-boosting tinctures.
- Lemon balm: Lemon balm has a calming effect and can help reduce stress and anxiety. It adds a pleasant citrusy flavor to tinctures.
- Peppermint: Peppermint can aid digestion, soothe an upset stomach, and provide a refreshing taste to your tinctures.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is known for its calming and relaxing properties, which can be especially helpful during the fall months when stress levels tend to rise.
- Thyme: Thyme has antimicrobial properties and can be beneficial for respiratory health, making it suitable for fall tinctures when colds are more common.
Hint: When creating tinctures with these herbs, you must research each one’s specific properties, potential interactions, and recommended dosages. Start with small amounts, and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
Variations
You can use your tincture in a variety of different ways! Take it straight, add it to recipes, or mix it into your morning coffee. Or you can add ginseng tincture to a tea or mocktail recipe:
Warm it up: Boil a cup of water and then allow it to cool slightly until it is hot but not boiling. In a large mug, add 2 teaspoons honey, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 20 drops ginseng tincture, a slice of fresh ginger, and a cinnamon stick. Stir until the honey is dissolved.
Make it a mocktail: In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine 1 cup apple cider, ½ cup ginger beer, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, 20 drops ginseng tincture, and the juice of ½ lemon. Stir well and pour over ice. Drop in the cinnamon stick, and add a pinch of ground cloves and ground nutmeg for a warm autumn spice flavor.
Equipment
You’ll need a few key pieces of equipment for making homemade tinctures:
Glass jar with a tight-sealing lid: Glass is preferred during the extraction process because it does not react with the alcohol used in the tincture. The tight-sealing lid helps prevent evaporation and contamination while the tincture is steeping.
Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer: Strain the tincture after the extraction process helps clarify the tincture, ensuring that it is free from any plant debris or sediment. A clear tincture is easier to measure and dose accurately.
Dark glass dropper bottles: Dark glass (usually amber or cobalt blue) helps protect the tincture from exposure to light, which can degrade its active compounds. Additionally, the use of dropper bottles facilitates dispensing the tincture in precise amounts, making it convenient for usage and dosing.
Storage
Always use dark glass dropper bottles for storage, and make sure to label each bottle with the date of preparation and the type of tincture it contains.
Your homemade tincture can last for years if capped tightly and stored in a cool, dry place.
FAQ
High-proof alcohol, such as Everclear, is commonly used for making ginseng tinctures. It should be at least 80–90 proof (40–45% alcohol content) to extract the active compounds effectively.
Dosage can vary depending on the individual and the strength of the tincture. It’s advisable to start with a lower dose, such as 1-2 dropperfuls (about 20-40 drops) per day, and adjust as needed based on your response and the desired effects.
Yes, consult with a healthcare professional before using ginseng if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
📖 Recipe
Pear Energy Elixir with Ginseng Tincture
Equipment
- Glass jar with a tight-sealing lid
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Dark glass dropper bottles for storage
Ingredients
Ginseng Tincture
- 1 part dried ginseng root
- 5 parts Everclear Grain Alcohol
Pear Energy Elixir
- 2 pears, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 cups apple juice concentrate, unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 20 drops ginseng tincture
Pear Ginseng Mocktail
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup pear juice
- ½ tablespoon ginger (fresh or dried)
- ½ tablespoon cardamom pods
- ½ tablespoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 20 drops ginseng tincture
- Sparkling water
Instructions
Ginseng Tincture
- Place the cut ginseng in a clean, dry glass jar. Pour the Everclear over it, ensuring that it completely covers the ginseng. Seal the jar tightly and give it a good shake to mix the ginseng and alcohol thoroughly.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, and let the mixture steep for at least 4–6 weeks (or up to 6 months, if you have the patience). Shake the jar gently every few days to ensure proper extraction.
- After the steeping period, strain the tincture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer into a clean glass container, squeezing out as much liquid as possible from the ginseng. Pour the strained tincture into dark glass dropper bottles for storage, and make sure to label each bottle with the date of preparation and the type of tincture it contains.
Pear Energy Elixir
- Combine pears, apple juice, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a glass.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice and 20 drops of ginseng tincture and stir again.
- Garnish with pear and sage. Drink 1–3 times daily.
Pear Ginseng Mocktail
- Start by making the honey simple syrup. In a small saucepan, bring water, honey, and spices to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before straining through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Pour pear juice, lemon juice, and ½ ounce simple syrup (or more, if you prefer) into a cocktail pitcher or measuring cup and stir together. Add a dropperful of ginseng tincture and stir again.
- Pour over ice and top off with soda water. Garnish with sliced pear and sage leaves.
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