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.
Advanced2-4 weeks
Bitters Infusion Project
Complete guide for bitters infusion project — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
craft bartendersflavor experimenters
Workflow
Macerate Tinctures at Proof and Duration
7-21 daysCover botanicals with 100–120 proof neutral spirit; macerate 7–21 days shaking daily, then strain through coffee filter.
Blend Tinctures and Dilute to Bitters Strength
1 hourCombine tinctures to taste, add water and optional caramel to 35–45% ABV final bitters with dropper-ready intensity.
Test in Cocktails and Document Drop Count
2 hoursTest bitters in Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and soda highball; record dashes per drink for house spec integration.
Tools Used
- Cocktail Tincture Ratio CalculatorPrimary
Calculate botanical-to-spirit weight ratios for individual tinctures before blending house bitters formula.
- Cocktail Infusion Time CalculatorPrimary
Estimate maceration duration based on botanical type, proof, and desired extraction intensity.
- Spirit Proof ConverterSupporting
Convert between proof and ABV when diluting blended tinctures to final bitters strength.
- Bitters Dash to mL ConverterReference
Convert dashes to milliliters when integrating house bitters into standardized cocktail specs.
Checklist
0 / 6 completedLoading your checklist…
Formulation
Technique
Documentation
Quality
Testing
Evaluation
Reference Materials
Botanical Maceration GuideTable
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 |
Tincture RatioFormula
Botanical weight (g) = target tincture volume (L) × ratio (g/L) ÷ spirit proof factor adjustment.
Non-Potable LabelStandard
House bitters above 44% ABV may require non-beverage labeling for commercial sale — check TTB rules.
Tincture First
Single-botanical tinctures let you blend precisely — all-in-one maceration is hard to fix.
Rest After Blend
Two-week rest after blending merges harsh alcohol edge into integrated bitters.
High Proof Burns
100+ proof spirit causes serious eye injury — gloves and goggles when handling tinctures.
Safety Notes
- High-proof spirit is flammable — macerate away from open flame and store sealed in cool dark place.
- Label all tinctures clearly — undrinkable concentration can cause alcohol poisoning if mistaken for liqueur.