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DIY Dandelion Bitters: Homemade Herbal Bitters
This simple dandelion bitters recipe turns backyard weeds into a wellness powerhouse. They help with digestion, in addition to having so many other benefits. And bonus, they’re also a great addition to mixed drinks, whether alcoholic or virgin.
Every spring, our yard bursts with bright yellow dandelions—and since we don’t use pesticides, it’s probably more than our neighbors would like! Thankfully, I now think of them as much more than weeds. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different ways to use them, from tossing the greens into salads to cooking the greens to making homemade remedies, or even eating them as is!
One of my favorite ways to harness their benefits is by making dandelion bitters with either the roots, leaves, or as I did with this recipe, with both. They’ve become a simple, natural tool in our wellness routine—and making them at home feels both empowering and satisfying.
This recipe is perfect if you’re curious about herbal remedies or just want to make something useful with what are truly powerful herbs growing in your yard. It’s easy, customizable, and a great introduction to herbal DIY. Plus, there’s something special about turning a “pesky weed” into a health-supporting remedy right in your own kitchen.
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How Digestive Bitters Work
Digestive bitters are herbal extracts that have a bitter taste (hence the name) that work by stimulating the bitter flavor receptors on your tongue. That then sends a signal to your brain to start the digestive process. This triggers the release of saliva, stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and even bile, which your body needs to properly break down food and absorb nutrients.
For those of you who would like to geek out on the finer details, here they are:
- Taste Bud Stimulation: Bitters contain compounds that stimulate the bitter taste receptors on your tongue.
- Vagus Nerve Activation: The receptors then send a signal to the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to many organs, including the digestive organs.
- Digestive Aid Release: The vagus nerve sends a signal to various organs, including salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and liver, which causes them to release saliva, gastric (stomach) acid, bile, histamine, gastrin, acetylcholine, and enzymes.
Benefits of Dandelion Bitters
These dandelion orange bitters can help with the following:
- indigestion
- constipation
- acid stomach or low-acid stomach
- digestive health
- gut health (having undigested food can lead to leaky gut which impairs gut health)
- support healthy skin
- help with detoxification as they support the liver
and so much more.
Common Bittering Ingredients
Though this recipe features dandelion leaf, root, and other spices, there are so many ingredients you can choose from. Following is a list (in addition to alcohol) for the recipe featured in this post, plus many more options. Use whatever herbals and spices that help to get your digestive juices flowing or that add some desired flavor to your bitters recipe.
- dandelion leaves
- dandelion root
- orange peel
- turmeric root
- ginger root
- chamomile
- anise
- allspice
- coriander
- cacao nibs
- gentian root
- burdock root
- artichoke leaf
- licorice root
- cardamom
- artichoke leaves
- yarrow
- mugwort
- sasparilla
- cinchona bark
- wild cherry bark
- stinging nettle (might help reduce damage to digestive tract, anti-inflammatory)
- other citrus peels (lemon, grapefruit, and limd)
How to Use
Consume a small amount of these dandelion bitters before meals to stimulate digestion. You can drink them straight, or you dilute them in a bit of water, sparkling water, or herbal tea.
You can also add bit to a fancy cocktail or mocktail for a different flavor profile.
Adults: 1–3 typical droppers full (1/4-1/2 teaspoon: 1.5–4.5 milliliters), taken before meals.
Children Ages 6-12: ½–1 dropper full (1/8-1/4 teaspoon:0.75–1.5 milliliters), taken before meals.
For children under 6, digestive bitters are not recommended unless using the glycerite version.
Alcohol-free Digestive Bitters
While they aren’t as common, you can make alcohol-free bitters just like you can make alcohol-free vanilla extract and other extracts. Simply use glycerin in place of the vodka. Technically, this makes a glycerite instead of a tincture.
Ratio of Herbals to Alcohol
If you’d like to make your own recipe a general rule of thumb is to use a 1:3 ratio of herbals to alcohol when making bitters with dried ingredients. When using dried herbs and plants, you would use a 1:2 ratio instead (1 part fresh herbals to 2 parts alcohol)
If using a combination of fresh and dried, use a ratio that falls somewhere in between.
- 1 1/2 cups vodka (at least 40 proof. Or other alcohol.)
- 3/8 cup chopped fresh dandelion greens (or 1/4 cup dried)
- 3 tablespoons dandelion root (or 2 tablespoons dried)
- 2 teaspoons fresh orange peel (or 1-1 1/3 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root (or 1/16 teaspoon dried ground)
- 1 teaspoons turmeric root
- 1/2 teaspoon anise
- 1/2 teaspoon chamomile
- 1/2 teaspoon clove
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
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Add herbals to glass jar.
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Add alcohol at least to cover.
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Cover and let steep for 4-6 weeks, shaking every 2-3 days.
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Strain and store in a glass dropper bottle, if desired, for ease of use.
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To use, put 3-5 drops, or 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon on your tongue about 10-15 minutes before eating. If preferred, put in a small amount of plain or sparkling water. Drink slowly, holding in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.
- Storing the bitters in a dark blue or amber jar is preferred for long-term storage.
- Other 40 proof or higher alcohols like rum, bourbon, whiskey or Everclear can also be used, but the flavor of the end result will be different.
- This recipe is extremely flexible. Use whatever herbals you have available and just follow the ratio guidelines of herbals to alcohol, using the dandelion as the base.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
