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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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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There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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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.

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