Herbal vinegars have been around for a long time. We use them to marinate meats, we toss them on salads, and use them to season our vegetables or pasta. However, the ones you buy in the store may not always suit your needs. Well, not to worry! I'm going to show you how you can bottle three of your own blends. We'll make a fruity citrus blend, a spicy herbal blend, and an Italian blend.
Before You Begin
Purchase or gather the materials.
Take appropriate safety precautions
Step 1:
Note: Ingredient amounts will vary depending on the number of bottles and varieties you choose to make
Sterilized glass bottles
Funnel
Skewer
Orange and lime slices
Sprigs of fresh mint (we used pineapple mint)
Red and white wine vinegars
Variety of fresh herbs including rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, and parsley
Cloves of fresh garlic
Tri-colored peppercorns (whole - not ground)
Red chili peppers
Julienned peppers (you can use any color pepper)
Step 2: Fruity Citrus Blend - part 1
Let's start by making a citrus, fruity blend. Choose the bottle you want to use - making sure it has been thoroughly sterilized. Next, put a layer of raspberries on the bottom of the bottle by gently pushing them through the opening. Try not to squish the berries - they look much prettier when they're whole. Then snip off some fresh mint and stuff that in on top of the berries. Now add thin slices of oranges and also a slice of lime cut in half. As you continue adding more mint and oranges, you may find you need a skewer to help push the ingredients into the bottle. The idea is to fill it up as much as possible.
Step 3: Fruity Citrus Blend - part 2
Now that we have the fruit and mint packed in, here's the simple part. Open up a bottle of white wine vinegar and, using a funnel, pour the vinegar into the bottle. Put the cap on and, believe it or not, we are finished! It's going to take about two weeks for the flavors to really infuse but within 24 hours you're going to be able to taste a delightful vinegar.
Step 4: Spicy Herbal Vinegar-part 1
Next we'll make a spicy herbal vinegar. For this blend I'm going to put together a variety of herbs including rosemary, oregano, thyme, some garlic, tri-colored peppercorns, red chilies, and of course a slice of lime. The first step is to line the bottom of the bottle with the tri-colored peppercorns. Next, gently start packing the bottle full of herbs. I'm going to start with the rosemary - and if it doesn't go into the bottle smoothly, twisting it will probably help. Now we'll add lots of thyme, and don't forget a sprig or two of oregano. Then you can add the hot chili peppers - the amount really depends on how spicy you want your vinegar to be.
Step 5: Spicy Herbal Vinegar - part 2
Next we'll add a couple cloves of garlic, stuff in more thyme and rosemary, and to top things off how about a thin slice of lime. All that's left is filling the bottle up with white wine vinegar, add the cork, and we're done! Look how beautiful this is! Now this is a little peppy, so it might be good to marinade your chicken or beef in - it's excellent for a stir-fry.
Step 6: Italian Blend
The next blend is an Italian blend. I'm going to use a variety of herbs including basil, oregano, parsley, and a little bit of thyme. I'll also use some julienned peppers, garlic, tri-colored peppercorns, and for this vinegar I'll use the red wine vinegar. As with the other blends we've made, you'll use the same layering process here. And this time get creative! In whatever order you like, add the ingredients to the bottle, fill the bottle with vinegar, and seal. Store the vinegars in a cool, dry location and be sure to use them within six months. That way they'll taste as good as they look!
Step 7: Final Steps
These vinegars also make lovely gifts. You can dress them up by adding some handmade decorations or gift tags. We've taken some paper, torn the edges, added some ribbon, a little dried fruit, and it makes a great tag. Or, use a calligraphy pen and write directly on the bottle. And, if you use a jar that has a lid that's not so pretty, just take some handmade paper, wrap it around the top, and secure the paper with a piece of pretty ribbon. Problem solved! Whatever you choose, these herbal vinegars are a great way for you to share a piece of your garden in a bottle.
Also Check out this link, it's extensive so thought I'd better link you so you may browse at your convenience.
Herbal Vinegar and Oil
