Make tincture / extracts from fruit

Tinctures aren't for medicinal use only. You can use tinctures for flavorings and preserving almost any fresh, organic fruit.

With our strange weather patterns and availability of fresh fruits this makes a lot of sense! When you make a tincture of a fruit or herb you preserve not only the flavor but many of it's nutrients as well.

As an example, take an orange and make a tincture/extract by filling a jar with fresh, organic oranges, topping off with 100 proof vodka, let it sit for several weeks and you can use it as flavoring in your cooking, in your glass of water, tea or even an orange martini. Your tincture will last for years if stored in a cool, dark place.

Keep in mind that if you use the orange rind you will end up with a bitter orange extract and if you use only orange wedges you will have a sweet orange extract. This goes for lemons, limes or any other citrus.

You can also make your own vanilla extract or berry extract. Try using organic blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, vanilla beans, etc. Get creative and stop back to share your recipes!