Herbal Elixirs

Herbal Elixirs are essentially tinctures with honey added. The simple addition of honey both makes the tincture more palatable and bestows the preparation with a touch of whimsy–because, let's be honest... 'elixir' just sounds more whimsical than 'tincture'.

Simply add honey to the tincture so that it makes up 5-15% of the final total volume. I tend to fall closer to 3-7% honey since I prefer less sweet preparations. All my bitters blends (most of which are technically elixirs), contain around 3-4% honey or other sweetener (like maple syrup or molasses) to ensure the bitter flavor is still present.

Make sure your initial tincture has a relatively high alcohol content, since if you add honey it will lower the alcohol content somewhat. Make sure all tinctures remain above 20-25% alcohol for shelf stability.

Making elixirs can be a great way to tease someone who is averse to strong flavors into taking herbal medicine. Elixirs are far more palatable for most people, and makes for a preparation that you can look forward to taking!