Design Bitters Formula and Botanical Bill
2 hoursSelect bittering agent (gentian, quassia), spice, citrus peel, and floral components; weigh each to total 15–25% botanical weight vs spirit.
Field context
This workflow is part of 4 niche fields
Complete guide for bitters infusion project — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Select bittering agent (gentian, quassia), spice, citrus peel, and floral components; weigh each to total 15–25% botanical weight vs spirit.
Cover botanicals with 100–120 proof neutral spirit; macerate 7–21 days shaking daily, then strain through coffee filter.
Combine tinctures to taste, add water and optional caramel to 35–45% ABV final bitters with dropper-ready intensity.
Test bitters in Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and soda highball; record dashes per drink for house spec integration.
Calculate botanical-to-spirit weight ratios for individual tinctures before blending house bitters formula.
Estimate maceration duration based on botanical type, proof, and desired extraction intensity.
Convert between proof and ABV when diluting blended tinctures to final bitters strength.
Convert dashes to milliliters when integrating house bitters into standardized cocktail specs.
Typical maceration times by botanical category at 100 proof.
| Botanical | Maceration | Ratio g/L |
|---|---|---|
| Gentian root | 14–21 days | 30–50 g/L |
| Orange peel | 7–10 days | 20–40 g/L |
| Cinnamon stick | 5–7 days | 5–10 g/L |
| Cardamom pod | 10–14 days | 15–25 g/L |
Single-botanical tinctures let you blend precisely — all-in-one maceration is hard to fix.
Two-week rest after blending merges harsh alcohol edge into integrated bitters.
100+ proof spirit causes serious eye injury — gloves and goggles when handling tinctures.