Bitters

A good first recipe to make is one based on the first recorded recipe for a kind of bitters. The original recipe, from an early celebrity bartender, calls for infusing all the ingredients directly in a a bottle of rum, so a kind of pre-made cocktail.

I came up with this recipe based on Jerry's concoction:

1 heaping tblspn dried lemon peel

1 heaping tblspn dried bitter orange peel

2 cinnamon sticks (about 2" each)

1 tblspn whole cloves

1 tblspn whole allspice

1 tspn black pepper

1 cup raisins, coarsely chopped

2 tspn dried gentian root

2 cups everclear 120

Combine all ingredients except gentian root in a large glass mason jar. You can crush all of the spices lightly beforehand- say with the bottom of a glass on a wooden cutting board. Store out of direct sunlight, shake daily for 2 weeks. open, add gentian root, reseal and shake daily for an additional week.

Strain solids out of alcohol by pouring through a fine mesh. Add solids to about 1 and 1/2 cup of filtered water. Simmer lightly for about 20 minutes. Cool thoroughly, strain, add water to alcohol. Filter through paper towels and then through coffee filters. This step takes some time, be patient.

Add 2 tblspns rich syrup.

Decant into dropper or shaker bottles.

Make delicious cocktails!

I do like sipping whiskey neat, of course, but an old fashioned really hits the spot sometimes and is just a lot of fun to make.