Cherry-Vanilla Bitters

Name: Cherry-Vanilla Bitters
Yield: About 3 cups
Ingredients: 1 (750-milliliter bottle) 100-proof rye whiskey; 6 vanilla beans, split in half lengthwise; 1/2 cup dried cherries; 1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 star anise pods; 2 teaspoons anise seed; 1 whole juniper berry; 1 whole clove

Cherries Christmas Rye Whiskey Bitters Cloves Juniper Berries Lemongrass Star Anise Vanilla Bean Cocktails Drink Host & Hostess Gifts DIY Whiskey Easy

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Rate

About 3 cups Easy

Total: Under 5 mins, plus steeping time Active: Under 5 mins

20 Ratings

Ingredients (8)

1 (750-milliliter bottle) 100-proof rye whiskey
6 vanilla beans, split in half lengthwise
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 star anise pods
2 teaspoons anise seed
1 whole juniper berry
1 whole clove

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Nutritional Information

Calories205
Fat1.16g
Saturated fat0.17g
Trans fat0.0g
Carbs39.23g
Fiber1.98g
Sugar28.76g
Protein1.5g
Cholesterol
Sodium8.66mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (2 servings) Powered by

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While some recipes for bitters call for gentian and other hard-to-find aromatics, you probably have almost everything you need to make this recipe on your spice rack. Round out your next Manhattan or Old Fashioned with a few dashes of this potent concoction.

Game plan: Simply straining the alcohol through a fine-mesh strainer will leave a few cloudy particles behind (which aren’t harmful). If you want completely clear bitters, strain through a coffee filter nested in the strainer.

The bitters will last indefinitely when stored in an airtight container in a dark spot.

This recipe was featured as part of our Bringing Bitters Back project, as well as our DIY Holiday Gifts Advent Calendar. Serve this in a drink beside our cherry clafoutis for a really impressive nightcap.

by Kate Ramos

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Instructions

1Combine all ingredients in a quart jar with a tightfitting lid. Close and store at room temperature. Let steep 14 days, shaking the jar every other day.
2Strain alcohol from spices and store in a jar with a tightfitting lid in a dark place.