Culinary Medicine for the Body, Mind, & Soul
ORANGE BITTERS
Makes: 1 12 ounce bottle
Time to Make: 2 minutes
Good for the Body, Mind, & Soul
ORANGE BITTERS
Balance is the key to brilliance...Bitter...Sweet...there it is, you gotta know one to know the other. Bitters are technically the most sensitive of all tastes. Bitters were "originally" from times when eating fresh greens wasn't always as easy. "Today" bitters were created to help ease digestion, usually in the form of the 5 pm cocktail…you know, before dinner.
The delightful bitter sweetness of orange bitters is one of my favorite bitter concoctions of all times. Before I was pregnant with Fiona, I was making a lot of bitters with my herbal class and learning about the amazing herbs to combine for therapeutic benefits. I had some experiments with both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine herbs, and more traditional “American” spices like sarsaparilla and juniper berries. I landed on this recipe to better support the palate for a cocktail, but it is also a beautiful way to ease into bitter consumption as well as making, as the ingredients are more readily accessible. I also lean into this bitter for gifts around the holidays but start making it during the winter as oranges are peak in season in the PNW. All in all…this bitter is a tantalizing touch on your tastebuds.
The completeness to of this mix, can make any drink…ahh yes, a recipe for the soul. These days, bitters are quite common in "soul" drinks and so...my fall favorite...Manhattans! Warm your soul with the bitter-sweet goodness of deliciousness.
INGREDIENTS
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1 Tablespoon dried Sarsaparilla
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1 Tablespoon dried Angelica root
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1 Tablespoon dried Elder berries
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1 Tablespoon dried Coriander seeds (crushed)
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1 Tablespoon dried Juniper berries
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1 Tablespoon dried Cardamom pods (crushed)
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1 Orange Peel (allow to dry for a few days)
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750 fluid ounces of Liquor (I like Everclear for this, Vodka works really well too for a clean flavor)
PREPARATION
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Add all dried ingredients to a jar you can cover with a lid (I like using a mason jar)
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Add liquor of choice
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Store in dark cool room and shake daily for 6 weeks.
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Then strain ingredients using a fine mesh strainer over another jar or swing top bottle
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Cover jar/bottle
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Store in bottle for use for your favorite drink or as an aperitif
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Enjoy!
GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
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Welcome to Health-Crush Nutritional Label for this meal. See how it fits into your daily nutritional needs. This meal includes all the ingredients above, so any deviation can alter the nutrition. As always, should you have any questions, please consult with me and/or your medical professional.
