Apple Bitters, A Gift of Abundance
Each year, my partner and I make a bitters recipe to give as a holiday gift. This year, we made apple bitters. Although I chose to enchant this for abundance (because everyone needs more abundance), this could easily be enchanted for health, love, or longevity, as these are also correspondences associated with apples.
The main flavoring agent (and enchantable) in this recipe is apples (Malus domestica), but there are a number of other ingredients that are also associated with abundance: cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cardamom all have a long association with abundance, mostly through the spice trail. All of these were extremely valueable spices that fetched a pretty penny in Europe historically and, as such, were traditionally eaten by the rich. This is, I believe, their association with "abundance" - use that, or not, at your own discretion.
A note on ingredients: the better your ingredients, the better your bitters will taste. Choose apples that you would like to eat. You can find most traditional spices at any well-stocked grocer, but you may need to go to a speciality store (apothecary) for the bittering agents (gentian, angelica, and dandelion). Be sure that if you buy online, you are purchasing food-safe ingredients. Many witch shops sell ingredients that are safe to put in spells, but not in your mouth.
A note on enchanting your brew: I take the time to enchant my ingredients as I start the initial liquor infusion with energy work, sigils, and words of power. Additionally, I continue this work as I return to this brew daily to shake it, increasing the strength of my intentions. I like to light a candle to further change this, often during the final wait period before decanting. Your magic is, of course, your own - do what works for you. This infusion is best started on a Thursday, during a strong positive Jovial alignment, or during a new or full moon.
2 Cups Wild Turkey 101 or other overproof brown liquor
1 tbs Gentian Root
2 tbs Angelica Root
1 1/2 tbs Dandelion Root
2 Tbs Wild Cherry Bark
2 Cinnamon Sticks
4 Cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tbs Vanilla Bean, chopped
8 Cardamom Pods
24 Dried Apple Slices
1 -1.5Cup Water
Complex Honey Syrup
Tools:
2 sealable jars (I use 2 quart-sized ball jars)
A pot
Cheesecloth, tea bags, or a strainer
Final vessel (I use 2 oz. jars with dropper lids)
Labels (optional but encouraged)
Combine the aromatic ingredients in a ball jar and cover with at least 2 Cups of Wild Turkey. Infuse in a cool, dark place for two weeks, shaking daily (Note: your liquor needs to cover your dry ingredients; if it does not, add more)
Strain out solids with a cheese cloth until the liquid is clear (optional). Combine aromatics with 1-1.5 cups of water on the stove over medium-high heat until boiling, reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, and allow to cool completely before storing in a second ball jar for 1 week.
Strain solids out of water infusion until the liquid is clear (optional), Combine water infusion and wild turkey infusion, and add honey syrup
Let it sit for three days before decanting.
This makes a wonderful, warming bitters that tastes good in most winter beverages. Add some to a spiked hot cider or a hot toddy, or even a hot tea, to gain the benefic nature of abundance. I sometimes add bitters to water or plain seltzer to get a bit of flavor in my hydration. All digestive bitters have a calming effect on the digestive system and can be taken after any meal. To dose a bitters, use half a dropper full or a tsp.
Of course, us being who we are, we decided to make a cocktail highlighting our bitters. We decided to go with the whiskey family, as it is also strongly associated with wealth and abundance, further enhancing the bitters' enchantment, and included applejack for additional apple flavors. Calvados (or other apple brandy) can be substituted for applejack as it has a similar profile.
1 Sugar Cube
2 dashes Apple Bitters
1 oz. Apple Jack or other Apple Brandy
1 oz. Bourbon or Rye
1 Slice Dried Apple For Garnish
Muddle the sugar cube in a rocks glass with the apple bitters
Add in Apple Jack and Bourbon with an ice cube, stir to combine
Top with a Dried Apple Slice and Enjoy
A note on enchanting your cocktail: cocktail enchanting is all in the shaking, or in this case, the stirring. You have already created an intention with the making of your bitters; wake it up through the stirring of your drink. If I have used a sigil, I draw it into my drink; if I have used a phrase, I say it over my drink.
*found in _The Drunken Botanist_ by Amy Steward, slightly revised
I hope the abundance created by these bitters, this drink, and the writing of this post finds you and your family in the new year.
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