Playing with Aquavit
Trips to restaurants, especially in the Bushwick neck of the woods, typically means long lines of aperitifs behind the bar. Some of the more bitter amaros are nice, but I find on the sweet side. After Pops gave a few recipes a whirl, Christmas last year included a few bags of herbal bits from the parents - geared towards aquavit.
Assumed methods
Steep said herbal bits in alcohol. Mix, sweeten, cut to an appropriate proof & drink.
A First Go at the Tinctures
- Caraway, .625oz in 1 C 160 proof
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), .625oz in 1 C 160 proof
- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), .625oz in 1 C 160 proof
- Bitter Orange Peel, 1.2oz in 1 C 160 proof
- Fennel Seed, .625oz in 1 C 160 proof
Initial steeping was at room temperature in metal lid sealed mason jars for 3 weeks. The final batch was made almost 12 months later.
Tincture Ratios
- 6 parts caraway
- 5 parts fennel
- 4 parts licorice
- 4 parts bitter orange
2 parts wormwood
4 parts 1:1 simple syrup
25 parts water
Mix all parts except water. Add water.
Results
Be warned, adding the water takes the clear amber tinctures to a muddy brown.