My Botanical Library
By Jonathan M. Forester on Feb 5, 2010 | In Artisanal Distilling, Cocktail Revolution, Syrups, Bitters, Tinctures, and Infusions

I've been working for several months experimenting with various botanicals for bitters and to use in making gin. Right now I am working on some bitters recipes that are unique, with a Colonial and Native American medicinal twist. So far I have around 115 botanicals that I've made into tinctures and infusions, with around 40 more that I haven't gotten around to yet, and a future list of another 50 or so which I have to track down. My botanical lab is now stocked with the following essences that are the basis for my "Library" of flavors and aromas.
Follow up:
Agrimony leaf
Angelica root
Anise seed
Star Anise
Dried Apricot
Areca nut, rose flavored (Rose Supari/Betel nut)
Bay leaf
Bearberry leaf
Blackberry fruit
Blackberry leaf
Blackberry root
Black Cumin seed
Blessed Thistle leaf
Wild Blueberry, fresh
Blueberry Leaves
Buddha’s Hand Citron
Calamus Root
Calendula Flowers
Canada Fleabane leaf
Black Cardomon
Green Cardomon
Cassia
Celery seed
Centaury
Chamomile flowers
Sour Cherry, Fresh
Sour Cherry, Pits
Chickweed leaf
Cinchona
Cinnamon
Cinquefoil leaf
Cleaver leaf
Clove
Red Clover blossom
Vietnamese Coffee
Cranberry, Fresh
Cubeb berries
Dandelion leaf
Dandelion root
Dogwood bark
Purple Coneflower root: Echinacea
Elderberries
Elderberry flower
Elecampane Root
Slippery Elm Bark
Fennel seed
Fenugreek seed
Frankincense
Galangal root
Gentian root
Germander
Ginger root, dried
Goldenrod Leaves
Goldenseal Root
Goldenseal leaf
Grains of Paradise
Gravel Root
Hawthorn Berries
Heal-All
Hearts ease leaf
Saaz Hops
Horehound leaf
Hyssop leaf
Ironweed Leaf
Ironweed Root
New Jersey Tea Root
Juniper Berries
Kumquat, fresh
Lavender flowers
Lemon Balm
Lemon Peel
Lemon Verbena leaf
Licorice
Lime Peel, dried
Sweet Lime, fresh Peel: different species from regular lime
Motherwort leaf
Mugwort leaf
Myrrh
Nasturtium leaf
Nutmeg
Orange Flower Petals
Bitter Orange Peel, dry
Orange Peel, dry
Orange Peel, Honeybell, fresh
Orange Peel, bleached
Orange Tree Leaves
Orris Root
Passion Flower Herb
Peach Tree Leaves
Prickly Ash Bark
Prickly Ash Berries
Quassia
Queen Anne's Lace leaf
Quince, Raw
Quince, Cooked
Red Raspberry leaf
Rhubarb Root
Red Rose Petals
Rose Hips
Yellow Rose petals
Sarsparilla root
Sassafras root
Sheep Sorrel Herb
Shepherd's Purse Herb
Skullcap Herb
Smartweed Herb
Spilanthes acmella/Sechuan Buttons
Spikenard Root
Stinging Nettle Leaves
Strawberry Leaves
Sumac berries
Tonka Beans
Veronica
Black Walnut bark
Wormwood
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Welcome to Drinking the World; my thoughts on fine libations, special spirits, and fabulous cocktails. My name is Jonathan M. Forester and I'm a food & beverage writer / consultant, and formerly partner in a winery and brewery in Maine. Now, my new partner and I are currently in the process of starting an artisanal, farm distillery located on 370 acres in New York State called Dutch's Spirits. We will be specializing in premium, hand-made spirits. These will include bourbon, rye, and malt whiskey, peach and apple brandy, a variety of aged rum, gin, liqueurs, and cocktail bitters.
If the post is dated prior to December 13, 2008, it was previously published at Slashfood.com / AOL.com.