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    Home » Extracts, Tinctures, Glycerites and Bitters

    Published: Aug 6, 2022 · Modified: May 3, 2024 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. ·

    Easy Black Walnut Bitters Recipe

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    Making your own black walnut bitters is easier than you think! Whether you are looking for a homemade cocktail addition or are interested in the medicinal benefits of digestive bitters, you've come to the right place!

    A hand holding a dropper bulb over a dark glass bottle.

    What are Bitters?

    Bitters are a key ingredient in many cocktails, adding flavor, depth and complexity. They are made by infusing aromatic botanicals, like herbs, roots, nuts, and sometimes fruits or vegetables, into a flavorless base. This results in a very strong and potent liquid.

    The botanicals used in bitters can vary widely, resulting in different flavors and aromas. And because bitters are so concentrated, just a few drops can go a long way!

    Bitters are sometimes referred to as the "seasoning" of a drink. They help to bring out the other flavors or add additional flavor based on the type of bitter being used.

    Additionally, bitters often have medicinal qualities. Digestive bitters, as they are known in the herbalism world, have been used for hundred of years for a variety of uses.

    Our bodies respond to a bitter taste in the mouth by producing more digestive fluids, integral for proper gut function. Bitters can positively impact gut lining health, detox pathways in the digestive system, can stimulate the appetite for those in need of such, and can even help regulate blood sugar, to name a few!

    A dark tincture bottle with a sticker on the front that says "black walnut bitters".

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    If you're a fan of bitters, you've probably tried a few different types that are available commercially. But have you ever made your own bitters at home? Homemade bitters are not only incredibly delicious, but they're also easy to customize to your own tastes. And when it comes to walnut bitters, there's no better way to get that perfect flavor than by making them yourself.

    Because homemade bitters are so concentrated, a little goes a long way. Start by adding just a few drops to your favorite cocktail or mocktail recipe. You can always add more if you want a stronger flavor. And since they keep for months (or even years), you'll always have them on hand for when the mood strikes.

    A hand holding a dropper bulb over an amber colored extract bottle.

    Ingredient Notes

    Black walnut hulls: Go for cut and sifted black walnut hulls for the best results. Black walnut hulls not only add a wholly unique flavor, which is a great addition to cocktails and mocktails, but also great medicinal benefits. One of the black walnut’s most unique properties is its ability to eliminate parasites from the intestines by way of not only its hearty tannins content, but also a natural non-toxic herbicide known as juglone. Black walnut also has strong anti-fungal properties, making it a great plant to incorporate for those trying to eliminate candida (yeast) from their systems.

    Cinnamon chips: You can find cinnamon chips at most health food stores or online. Cinnamon chips are basically just dried, cut, and sifted cinnamon bark.

    Cloves: Cloves add a warm and spicy flavor to the bitters. Use whole cloves for this recipe.

    Cacao nibs: Cacao nibs are chocolate in their purest form and they add a rich flavor, with notes of cocoa, to the bitters that greatly complement the other ingredients used.

    Peppercorns: Peppercorns add a bit of subtle and complex heat to the mix. I prefer black peppercorns.

    Alcohol, Vinegar, or Vegetable Glycerin: You can use something like bourbon or vodka here, cane alcohol also works well. Apple cider vinegar is my preferred method if you want to go down the vinegar route. Or use a mixture of vegetable glycerin and distilled water or mountain spring water for the third option, which is a great option for kids due to its natural sweetness, or those who abstain from alcohol.

    How to Make Walnut Bitters

    Cheesecloth filled with walnut bitters ingredients, resting on a dark table next to an empty glass jar.
    Top view of dark tincture bottles resting on a wooden table sprinkled with walnuts.
    1. Take a clean jar and place the walnut hulls, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and cacao nibs into it.
    2. Cover the jar with either alcohol, vinegar, or a glycerin and water mix, depending on which you want to use.
    3. Place the lid on tightly and put the jar somewhere dark, away from direct sunlight so the liquid can infuse. Leave it there for at least two weeks or up to three months.
    4. Strain the bitters and transfer them into a bottle with a dropper.

    Please note: If using vinegar, you will want to place a piece of parchment paper or cheesecloth over the jar before screwing the lid, on vinegar can be quite corrosive to a metal lid.

    Close view of a dropper bulb squeezing a dark liquid onto a wood table.

    How to Use Bitters

    Walnut bitters are a great way to add a unique full-bodied flavor to your cocktails. They can be used in all sorts of cocktail recipes from Martinis to Old Fashioneds, as well as drinks like the Manhattan. It works as well with gin and rum as with whiskey.

    To use walnut bitters, simply add a few drops to your cocktail and stir then add your garnish of choice, such as orange peel or a sprig of rosemary. You can also use them in a rimming salt for margaritas or other drinks.

    Black walnut bitters are also delicious incorporated into foods such as sauces, desserts, and breakfast foods like this Oatmeal recipe.

    Walnut bitters are also a great addition to any herbal medicine stash. Keep them on hand when your gut needs a bit of healing and repair, or someone's appetite needs stimulating. To use in this manner, simply take by the dropper full straight on the tongue or simply stir into a glass of water.

    Storage

    Once the bitters are in a dropper bottle (I like to use 2 oz bottles), store them in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. It will last for at least 12 months when you store it correctly.

    A small dark glass bottle with a tan sticker that reads "black walnut bitters".

    What Do Walnut Bitters Taste Like?

    Walnut bitters have a deep, rich flavor that is perfect for adding a touch of complexity to cocktails, mocktails, or simply water. The robust nut flavor of the real walnuts comes through clearly, with a slightly nutty sweetness that is balanced by the bitterness of the menstruum and the earthly aromatics of the spices.

    The result is versatile bitters that can be used in all sorts of drinks, from classic cocktails to modern mixers, or used for the medicinal benefits alone.

    What Goes Well with Bitters?

    When it comes to mixology, walnut bitters are a bit of an acquired taste. They can be tricky to work with, but when used judiciously, they can add a unique flavor to cocktails. For example, walnut bitters pair well with earthy flavors like bourbon and rye whiskey.

    They also work well with citrusy fruits like orange and lemon. And if you're looking for a real adventure, try pairing walnut bitters with chocolate or coffee liqueurs. You could even add a drop or two to a cup of coffee.

    The key is to start slowly and build up the flavor profile gradually. A few drops of walnut bitters can go a long way, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

    Close shot of a tincture dropper bottle bulb dripping a dark liquid over a wooden table.

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    5 from 98 votes

    Easy Black Walnut Bitters Recipe

    Making your own black walnut bitters is easier than you think! Whether you are looking for a homemade cocktail addition or are interested in the medicinal benefits of digestive bitters, you've come to the right place!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
    Infusion Time: 14 days d
    Total Time: 14 days d 10 minutes mins
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: Egyptian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 20 servings
    Calories: 3kcal
    Author: Kristen Wood
    Cost: $2

    Equipment

    • Black Walnut Hulls

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup organic black walnut hulls cut + sifted
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips
    • ½ teaspoon cacao nibs
    • ¼ teaspoon whole cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns

    Alcohol Method

    • 1 cup high-proof bourbon or cane alcohol

    Vinegar Method

    • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

    Glycerite Method

    • ⅔ cup vegetable glycerin
    • ⅓ cup distilled or spring water
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a clean jar, place the walnut hulls, cinnamon, cloves, cacao nibs and peppercorns.
    • Cover with the menstruum of choice (alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin/water).
    • Place a lid on tightly and place the jar in a place away from direct sunlight to infuse for at least 2 weeks (up to 3 months).
    • Strain the bitters and funnel into a dropper bottle(s).
    • Keep in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place for up to one year.
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1full dropper | Calories: 3kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 0.02g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.03mg

    More Extracts, Tinctures, Glycerites and Bitters

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen is a plant lover, gardener, certified functional nutritional expert, cookbook author, writer, and photographer. Her work has been featured in many online and print publications including Willow & Sage Magazine, Forbes, NBC, New York Daily News, Healthline, MSN, Elle, Yoga Journal, and many more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alina says

      September 18, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I've never hear of this, so I'm glad I found your blog! Will try it in the cocktails.

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 27, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        Thank you! Enjoy!

        Reply
        • Mark Hausman says

          October 27, 2022 at 2:17 pm

          Black walnut hulls are green at first then turn black. Should I use black or green hulls?

          Thank you,
          Mark Hausman
          [email protected]

          Reply
          • Kristen says

            October 29, 2022 at 3:02 pm

            Black works best! If you have fresh green hulls, you can leave them to air dry for about a week.

            Reply
            • Betty says

              March 09, 2023 at 1:39 pm

              Can't wait to try this! As a crafty person, I want to warn everyone that Black Walnut hulls were used as a deep brown dye before the advent of modern dyes. It stains EVERYTHING: clothing, countertops, shoes. I have used it on wool, works great. No getting it out though.

            • Kristen says

              March 10, 2023 at 3:09 pm

              Thank you for sharing this and giving us a visit! 🙂

    2. Gina Abernathy says

      September 18, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      5 stars
      I've never thought to make homemade bitters before. Also, loved the background information.

      Reply
    3. Caroline says

      September 18, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      5 stars
      I'm so excited to give this a try - I've not tried making bitters before but the flavors sound great.

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 27, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        Thank you! I hope you enjoy. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Claudia Lamascolo says

      September 18, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      Sounds terrific I love learning about different foods and ingredients this is so unique to me!

      Reply
    5. Nancy says

      September 18, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      My cocktail tasted so good with this homemade walnut bitters

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 27, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        So happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    6. Andrea says

      September 27, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      Homemade bitters sounds marvelous. Can't wait to use this in a few cocktails.

      Reply
    7. Jamie says

      September 27, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was so simple to make and was perfect in our cocktail!

      Reply
    8. Emily says

      September 27, 2022 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      This was an informative post. I had no idea how easy it was to make my own black walnut bitters! I enjoyed adding this to our Manhattans at cocktail hour! Going to add it to an Old Fashioned next!

      Reply
    9. Biana says

      September 27, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      I have not made bitters before - thank you for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
    10. MacKenzie says

      September 27, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea. Can’t wait to try!

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 27, 2022 at 8:15 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Dana says

      September 28, 2022 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      This is so so cool! My inlaws are super into mixology right now (and I'm reaping the benefits lol). Definitely sending this their way!

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 28, 2022 at 7:01 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    12. Cheryl says

      October 24, 2022 at 4:32 pm

      We have black walnut on our property. Should we dry the hulls first before making this?

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        October 29, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        Yes. For fresh walnut hulls, I recommend just leaving them out to air dry for about a week and they should darken in color.

        Reply
    13. Teresa S says

      December 09, 2022 at 10:46 am

      Excited to try this! Can I use cinnamon sticks instead of chips? Same ratio or different?

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        December 10, 2022 at 8:36 pm

        Hi, Teresa! Yes, you can..most definitely. I would recommend one cinnamon stick to replace the cinnamon chips. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Peter says

      December 17, 2022 at 10:36 am

      Quick terminology question: the hulls is the soft meaty part that is on the shell when it is on the tree, right? Not the shell that is the smaller, hard part that encloses the actual Have I got that right?

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        December 18, 2022 at 2:04 pm

        Yes, exactly! The hull covers the shell, which covers the walnut. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Chava says

      January 09, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      What if I am only able to obtain black walnut hull powder; how much should I use in your recipe?

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        January 10, 2023 at 5:18 pm

        I would use approximately 2 tablespoons of powder. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    16. Kimberly says

      February 19, 2023 at 10:57 am

      I am allergic to black pepper. What would be a good substitute for the black peppercorns? Thank you

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        February 21, 2023 at 7:25 pm

        Hi! You can add a small pinch of ground ginger or simply omit it. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    5 from 98 votes (87 ratings without comment)

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    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen is a plant lover, gardener, certified functional nutritional expert, cookbook author, writer, and photographer. Her work has been featured in many online and print publications including Willow & Sage Magazine, Forbes, NBC, New York Daily News, Healthline, MSN, Elle, Yoga Journal, and many more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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