Tinctures

• The first part of the “Flavor Triad” (Tinctures, Extracts, and Essences).
• Less concentrated than extracts or essences.
• Provides highlights.
• Bitters are often made up of different tinctures.
• Compared to extracts or essences, tinctures are more ready to use in cocktails, sodas, etc.
• Typically, shelf stable. Lasts for months or years even at room temperature.

Tinctures for Color

• Sometimes used to make color. E.g., turmeric for orange or yellow color. Also saffron, cudbear (violet, red, or bluish dyestuff), cherry juice for red, chlorophyll for green, green leafy veg, etc.

Basic Tincture Formula

• Tincture = 120 g Substance + 1000 ml Solvent
• Solvent is usually 40% to 50% alcohol (ethanol), but vodka is also often used as a solvent.
  • Provides a preservative that can last for years.
  • Typically made through Maceration. Let the substance dissolve in the solvent at room temperature for a couple of weeks.

Using Tinctures

• Generally, the higher the ABV of the solvent, the less substance you will need to use.
  • For example, if using an 80 proof (40 ABV) vodka as a solvent, using 5 times as much vodka than ingredient is recommended. But if you use a 160 proof everclear (80 ABV) as a solvent, using up to 10 times as much everclear than ingredient is recommended.
  • Recommended ratio: SolventABV/8 (same as SolventProof/16)