Orange Saffron Bitters

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I've probably made over 30 different types of homemade bitters over the last 3 years or so. This flavor has been one of my most successful. 

A familiar blend of bitters with a unique twist to use with gin, whiskey, brandy and rum based drinks. These bitters have great natural spice and tremendous depth to add complexity to any stirred drink.

Orange Saffron Bitters recipe:

Makes roughly 20 oz. 

To begin, get 2 large glass mason jars (sterilized). 

In 1 bottle (Flavoring), put:

  • 1 cup vodka* (overproof)

  • .5 tsp cloves (whole)

  • .25 tsp allspice (whole)

  • 1 tsp green cardamom pods (whole - cracked)

  • peel from 1 large orange

  • 1 tbsp dried orange peel

  • 1 tsp dried lemon peel

  • .5 tsp cinnamon chips (cassia)

  • 1 tbsp saffron

  • .5 tsp tellicherry peppercorns (whole)

  • .25 tsp coriander seeds

In the 2nd bottle (Bittering), put:

  • 1.5 cups of bourbon (overproof)

  • 1 tsp gentian 

  • 1 tsp quassia chips

  • .5 tsp wormwood

You will also need: 

  1. Place all ingredients in corresponding jars.  Store in a cool, shaded place.

  2. Turn the jars upside down daily or gently shake each jar.

  3. After 7 days, taste bottle 1 (Flavoring). If desired flavor is reached, strain out solids and return mixture to bottle. Typically, 10 to 14 days are needed, but taste early and often.

  4. After 10 days, strain out bottle 2 (Bittering) using cheesecloth and return mixture to original mason jar. 

  5. When bottle 1 (Flavoring) is ready and strained, pour either bottle into the other to create 1 mixture.

  6. Store in cool, shaded place and let mixture marry for another 7 days. 

  7. Add 1 or 2 ounces (your preference) of Demerara simple syrup (not white sugar) to mixture. 

  8. Store for another 5 days. Agitate daily. 

  9. When done, strain one more time with cheesecloth and bottle your bitters or store in original mason jar. 

  10. Bitters will keep indefinitely. 

*Note: Overproof white rum (Wray and Nephew) can also be used to impart more depth. Overproof is anything 100 proof or 50% ABV (or higher).