How to Make Herbal Vinegars by Porcelain Doll

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The basic steps in making herbal and fruit vinegars are quite simple. Your goal with herbal vinegars is to add flavor and zest to your diet, however, herbal vinegars are so healthy some proclaim them a miracle cure all, especially for cases of arthritis, and digestive problems.
Experiment with various herbs to develop your favorite flavor. Any consumable herbs can be used alone or in combination. Use a basic white or red wine, or cider vinegar. You will find many combinations that not only offer great taste, but extra added health benefits as well. I often take the last cuttings from the garden in the fall, to savor and save taste of summer.

Step 1
Remove any dirt and debris from fresh herbs, and use only the best leaves, discarding those that are discolored, or have been munched on by insects. Spray wash, spread on newsprint and let the leaves wilt and dry on the stems. This step also lets any unwanted visitors clinging to the leaves depart.

Step 2
Remove leaves from stems and cut into small pieces. When making rosemary vinegar, conserve the woody stems for the kindling box.

Step 3
Heat the vinegar gently till hot, (not boiling). Pour heated vinegar over herbs and let infuse in a covered container for 2 to 3 days, or weeks depending on the recipe. If you are interested in extracting medicinal properties from herbs, the infusion time will be in longer rather than shorter.

Step 4
Infuse at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Kitchen cupboards are ideal for this. Shake the bottle every few days.

Step 5
Strain - remove all organic materials, then pour herbal vinegar in a clean dry bottle and cork. Vinegar causes metal to deteriorate, so if you can't find a plastic or cork to fit the bottle of your choice cover the opening with wax paper before screwing on the lid. You can add back some sprigs of herbs or berries for decorative purposes, but make sure they stay submerged in the vinegar. Most flavored vinegars will last for months when stored in a cool, dark place. (refrigerator is fine), but for optimal flavor use within 3 months.

[Juno Canis]

Wow..this is interesting, because my recipes for herbal vinegars (actually, I have only two) don't require heating of any kind, and they want me to put it INTO the direct sunlight for 6 weeks.  This seems contradictory, so I'm wondering if there is a right/wrong way to do it, and SHOULD I be heating it??  Or, is this essentially what the sun is doing?  I'm highly curious!  :)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

You can heat it carefully on the stove or let it sit in the sun for about a half an hour. Let the bottles sit for one to two months, out of direct sunlight, to let the flavor of the herb seep into the vinegar.

If a month is too long for you to wait, you can also make your vinegars the “fast way.” Try doing both so that you can compare the taste and see which you like best. To make a quick herbal vinegar, heat the vinegar to just below boiling (instead of warm, as above) and then pour over the herbs. Cover the mixture, then gently shake twice a day for a week.

You can find many recipes for herbal vinegars on the internet using ingredients ranging from simple herbs to complex concoctions. Some wonderful herbal vinegars are:

Chive
Basil
Lemon thyme or verbena
Dill
Rosemary
Lavender
Thyme
Garlic

You can also experiment with combinations or with special herb varieties like lemon basil or purple sage. Red wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and rice vinegar can also be used, though they will each give you different tastes and colors. You should avoid distilled vinegar, since the taste will be too harsh.

Please tell us of your recipes and experiments.

[Juno Canis]

Ah, thanks, that clears everything up nicely!! :)

I can't remember where mine came from--most probably the internet, several years ago.  I make a rose petal vinegar and I have tried a multi-herbed one for salads as an experiment.  Both were the type that you leave in the sun for a while. 

The rose petal has a lovely smell and a beautiful color.  You just fill a jar half full with fresh rose petals, cover with vinegar to almost the top, cap it, and leave it in the sun for about 6 weeks.  The multi-herbed one was similar with the same instructions. It wasn't herb-specific though.  It just said to use what you like, so I added a bunch of different herbs as an experiment, to see what I would get.  It was my first time making it and I happened to have a bunch of different herbs at the time, so I figured, why not start learning what NOT to add!  Next time I'm going to try them with only specific herbs--maybe just two herbs per bottle, and see what happens.

I have also made an orange vinegar that I use for cleaning only--it's a multipurpose spray and does a great job!  This one you just put the orange peels in a jar and cover with vinegar.  You don't heat it, but you do keep it in a dark place for two weeks.  It smells very citrus-y.

I am anxious to try these versions as well, with the heat.  We live in British Columbia so during certain seasons we can't always count on the sun being available.. ;)