Tincture making questions

[LC]

Okay, so I've read what everyone has posted on the threads about elderberry tincture and I have to admit I am confused (or maybe just dense)

So if I order a pound of the dried elderberries how much alcohol (vodka, brandy, etc) do I need to make up that much?

How long do I let it steep?

It is better to just let it sit in the dark or should it be simmered? I read both.

Do I need to crush the berries?

If I add sugar for palatability should I add it right before using so it will keep better?

Someone posted a recipe for a tincture without alcohol. Will that work just as well for someone who doesn't want the alcohol?

Thanks so much to everyone for your help in advance. I really appreciate it.

LC

 

[summerthyme]

LC- a pound of dry elderberries is a pretty good amount! You'll need enough vodka to cover the berries in a jar or whatever you make them in. Probably a fifth of vodka will be enough, but I'm not exactly sure how much volume a pound of berries takes up.

Use no stronger than 100 proof vodka if you're using dry berries... or if you are using EverClear or some other very strong alcohol, dilute it to get to 50% alcohol. I use 160 proof (80%) vodka when I'm making tincture with fresh berries, but they have a lot of water in them.

I don't think you need to crush the berries or heat them. The fresh berries can be quite laxative, but I think drying them eliminates that factor. Simmering it is going to reduce the alcohol content... I wouldn't, personally.

You can make tinctures... of a sort... out of glycerin or vinegar.I don't think they're quite as effective as alcohol in dissolving all the active ingredients in the herbs, but if alcohol is a problem for someone, they are probably a better choice. I don't believe they can be counted on to keep anywhere near as long, though.

If it was just a "want to avoid alcohol" situation, rather than a situation where someone was an alcoholic and absolutely shouldn't have it, I'd probably make it with vodka, then simmer it for 5 minutes or so with honey (enough to use for a week or so, not the whole batch- the plain tincture will keep a lot longer). This would make a syrup and would drive off quite a bit of the alcohol as well.

With dry berries, I think if you steep if for a couple of weeks, you should get most of the active principle soaked out. Longer.. in a cool, dark spot... would be better, but not vital. As long as the berries are covered in the alcohol, there isn't going to be any problem with spoilage... they could stay in there until you were ready to use it- for months even, without problems.

Good luck!

summerthyme

 

[LC]

Thanks summerthyme. Now all I have to do is order those elderberries. I really appreciate your answer.

LC