Aromatic Bitters

By SippitySup

Bitters can be an important element to a well-crafted cocktail. Why not make your own?

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 1/4 cup dried currants, cranberries or cherries
• 3 whole cardamom pods, lightly cracked
• 1 (2-inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 star anise
• 8-10 drops gentian extract (available online)
• 2 cups 100 proof rye
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup

Details

Servings 2
Preparation time 15mins

Preparation

Step 1

Use a vegetable peeler to remove lemon and orange zest in thin strips, leaving the white pith behind. Add the zest, along with dried fruit, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, star anise and rye, to a quart jar with a tight fitting lid. Cover and store in a dark place at room temperature for 2 weeks, shaking or rolling the jar every other day. Then strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve double-lined with cheesecloth into a 2 or 3 cup pitcher. Add the simple syrup, stirring to combine. Funnel the bitters into small bottles with squeeze dropper caps. Keep in a cool dark place.