Bird cherry tincture with alcohol

Since ancient times, bird cherry in Rus' has been revered as a valuable medicinal plant, capable of driving away entities hostile to humans and helping to cure many diseases. Bird cherry tincture is famous for its taste, with pronounced hints of almond, aroma, and medicinal properties. Many even respect bird cherry tincture more than a drink made from cherries.

The benefits of bird cherry tincture

Bird cherry berries, although they have pronounced medicinal properties, are not very attractive when eaten fresh. Their sweetish, slightly tart and peculiar taste does not allow them to take their rightful place among other healthy berries.But bird cherry tincture is enjoyed by everyone who wants, one way or another, to improve their health.

The rich composition of bird cherry determines the benefits and healing properties of vodka tincture:

1. The presence of a large amount of tannins helps with digestive disorders, has an astringent and fixative effect on diarrhea of ​​various origins and intestinal gases.
2. Various bitters strengthen the walls of the stomach.
3. Pectin helps normalize intestinal function.
4. Phytoncides determine its bactericidal properties.
5. The content of many vitamins and minerals helps cleanse the blood, remove toxins and strengthen the walls of capillary vessels.
6. Bird cherry tincture increases the body's resistance to infections, improves immunity and accelerates the regenerative ability of tissues. Therefore, its use can be useful for any colds or inflammatory diseases, as well as for general strengthening of the body.
7. It has good diuretic and diaphoretic properties.
8. It is able to remove heavy metal salts from the body and have a beneficial effect on curing a variety of joint diseases.

Thus, the tincture is used externally for arthritis, arthrosis, gout, osteoporosis, as well as for the treatment of stomatitis, gingivitis, and purulent wounds.

But it should be noted that the seeds of bird cherry, as well as its leaves and bark, contain a lot of amygdalin glycoside. This substance, when decomposed, releases hydrocyanic acid, which is a strong toxic substance. For this reason, bird cherry berries are contraindicated for consumption by pregnant and lactating women. And everyone else should use the tincture with caution, not exceeding the recommended dose.

How to make bird cherry tincture

Bird cherry or bird cherry is widespread throughout Russia from north to south, from the western regions to the Far East. In addition to wild ones, there are also its cultivated varieties, which are distinguished by their large berries and sweetness, but their aroma, as a rule, is not so pronounced.

The berries are green at first, and when fully ripe (in August-September) they become black. They are small in size and have a unique tart-sweet, slightly astringent taste.

Also, in Russian latitudes, a guest from the American continent has long been introduced into culture - Virginia or red bird cherry. Its berries are larger in size, they are juicy and red, but as they ripen they darken and become almost black. As for the aroma, it is much less pronounced in red bird cherry compared to ordinary bird cherry. Therefore, it is traditional to prepare the tincture, first of all, from bird cherry or common bird cherry. And the Virginia variety, due to the greater juiciness of the berries, is used more often for making homemade liqueurs.

The tincture at home can be made from fresh, dry, or even frozen bird cherry berries. But the recipe is slightly different. Also, to prepare bird cherry tincture, the flowers of the plant and jam made from its fruits are used.

The most important subject of numerous discussions is the content of prussic acid in bird cherry and, accordingly, the possible harm from taking tinctures from it internally.

• Firstly, amygdalin, which is converted into hydrocyanic acid, is found only in bird cherry seeds. It is not found in the very pulp of the berries. Therefore, if you really want to, you can remove the seeds from the berries altogether, although this is not easy.
• Secondly, this substance is able to be absorbed into alcohol-containing liquids only after 6 weeks of infusion. Therefore, bird cherry tincture should not be prepared for more than one month. After this period, the berries must be removed from alcohol or vodka.
• Third, It has been found that sugar quite effectively neutralizes the effect of hydrocyanic acid, so it is certainly added to the tincture. Moreover, it is important to use sugar, and not other sweeteners such as fructose, stevia and their other varieties.

Preparing berries for making bird cherry vodka at home involves removing them from the branches and sorting them out, discarding leaves, plant debris, stalks and wrinkled, spoiled and small fruits.

Then the berries are either mixed with sugar or slightly dried in a warm room without access to sunlight for several days. If there is no intention or desire to remove the seeds from the berries, then the best option would be to mix them directly with sugar.

Classic recipe for bird cherry tincture

This recipe is also the simplest. The result will be a very aromatic, moderately sweet and strong drink with a characteristic almond flavor.In terms of taste, it most closely resembles cherry liqueur.

You will need:

• 500 ml of vodka or alcohol, diluted to 45-50 degrees;
• 400 g of bird cherry berries, cleared of plant debris;
• 100 g granulated sugar.

Manufacturing:

1. Prepared ripe bird cherry berries are poured into a clean and completely dry glass jar.
2. Sugar is also added there, the jar is closed with a plastic lid and the berries are shaken repeatedly until the berries soften slightly and release juice.
3. Add alcohol to the same jar, cover with a lid and shake thoroughly.
4. Place a tightly closed jar with bird cherry tincture in a warm place with a temperature not lower than + 20 ° C and without access to any light for 18-20 days.
5. It is advisable to shake the contents of the jar once every few days to ensure complete dissolution of the sugar.
6. During this period of time, the tincture should acquire a bright, rich color and a characteristic aroma.
   
7. After the prescribed period has expired, the resulting bird cherry tincture is filtered using a gauze filter with cotton wool.
8. Pour into bottles, seal tightly and place in a cold place - a cellar or refrigerator.
9. You can use the tincture a few days after filtration, allowing it to steep for some time.

Red cherry tincture with vodka

The content of the glycoside amygdalin, which turns into poisonous hydrocyanic acid, is incomparably less in the berries of red or virgin bird cherry. Therefore, red bird cherry tincture can be kept for a longer time. Moreover, red bird cherry does not have a particularly bright aroma, and the alcohol-containing drink needs time to draw it out of this berry.

You will need:

• 800 g of Virginia or red bird cherry berries;
• 200 g granulated sugar;
• 1 liter of vodka.

Manufacturing:

1. The berries, cleared of plant debris and sorted, are poured into a jar.
2. Add sugar, close tightly with a lid and shake for at least 5 minutes to achieve juice formation.
3. Open the jar, add vodka to it, mix the contents well again and send it to a warm place without light for about 20 days.
4. After the prescribed period, the tincture is filtered through a cotton-gauze filter.
5. They taste it, add more sugar if desired and, after pouring the drink into bottles, infuse it for another few days to a week.
6. After which the bird cherry tincture with vodka is ready for tasting.

Dried bird cherry tincture

You can prepare dried bird cherry yourself by drying pre-processed and peeled berries during the harvest season. And you can purchase it at various retail outlets. Dried bird cherry is available on sale in powder form or as whole berries. To prepare bird cherry tincture at home, mainly whole dried berries are suitable. Because the powder contains a significant amount of crushed seeds, this can add unnecessary harshness to the drink.

You will need:

• 150 g dried bird cherry berries;
• 3 liters of vodka or diluted alcohol;
• 3-4 tbsp. l. granulated sugar.

Manufacturing:

1. Pour 1.5 liters of vodka into a dry and clean three-liter jar, shake it several times and place it in a dark place at room temperature for 2 weeks.
2. Then the drink is filtered through a filter, poured into a dark glass container or set aside in a dark place.
3. The remaining berries are again poured with another 1.5 liters of vodka, sugar is added and left for another 2 weeks.
4. After 14 days, the contents of the jar are filtered again and combined with the tincture obtained after the first filtration.
5. Shake well and leave to infuse for another week.
6. Strain through a filter, bottle and seal tightly.

The healing drink is ready.

Recipe for bird cherry tincture with vodka, cloves and cinnamon

Spices will further enhance the taste and aroma of the finished bird cherry tincture.

You will need:

• 300 g bird cherry berries;
• 100 g granulated sugar;
• 500 ml vodka;
• small cinnamon stick;
• 5-6 buds of cloves.

Making such bird cherry with vodka is not much different from classical technology. You just need to add the spices specified in the recipe to the jar along with the sugar. And after the required period of infusion, strain through a filter and bottle.

Tincture of dried red bird cherry and ginger

To prepare a tasty tincture from dried red bird cherry berries, it is advisable to supplement them with spices, since they have practically no distinct aroma.

You will need:

• 150 g dried red bird cherry;
• half a cinnamon stick;
• 5 buds of cloves;
• 5 g ginger pieces;
• 120 g granulated sugar;
• 1 liter of 45-50 proof alcohol or regular medium quality vodka.

Manufacturing:

1. Dry bird cherry berries are poured with warm boiled water so that they are completely immersed in it. Leave to swell for several hours.
2. Drain the berries in a colander and place in a clean glass jar.
3. Chop the cinnamon stick and ginger into small pieces with a sharp knife.
4. Sugar and all the crushed spices are added to a jar with bird cherry, poured with alcohol or vodka, and mixed well.
5. Cover tightly with a lid and place in a warm place without light.
6. After 2 weeks, the contents of the jar are filtered through a filter made of cotton wool and gauze.
7. Bottle, seal well and store.

Recipe for bird cherry tincture with pine nuts

This ancient recipe is especially popular among Siberians, who have been preparing similar “nutcrackers” for a long time.

You will need:

• 500 g of fresh bird cherry berries;
• 1 cup pine nuts, unshelled;
• 2 liters of vodka;
• 250-300 g granulated sugar;
• 2 buds of cloves.

Manufacturing:

1. Lightly mash the pine nuts with a wooden masher to release some oil.
2. A layer of bird cherry berries is poured into the jar, then a layer of sugar and pine nuts, and this is repeated until all the ingredients are gone.
3. Add cloves and pour vodka into the mixture.
4. Stir and infuse in a room at a temperature of + 20-28 ° C without exposure to light for 10-15 days.
5. After two weeks, the tincture is filtered, poured into bottles and allowed to stand for several more days in a cool place before tasting.

Bird cherry tincture on vodka with cherry leaves

This bird cherry tincture is even more reminiscent of cherry tincture due to the addition of aromatic leaves, which give it an original tart taste.

You will need:

• 400 g of fresh or dried bird cherry berries;
• 1000 ml vodka;
• 500 ml filtered water;
• 40 cherry leaves;
• 150 g granulated sugar.

Manufacturing:

1. Heat the water to a boil, place cherry leaves in it and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Add peeled and sorted bird cherry berries and sugar, boil for another 5 minutes, strain and cool.
3. Pour 500 ml of vodka into the resulting syrup, mix, and leave to infuse in a warm and dark place for 8-10 days.
4. Add the remaining amount of vodka and insist the same amount.
5. After which the tincture is filtered again, bottled and sent for storage.

Recipe for bird cherry tincture in alcohol with cinnamon and honey

There are many recipes for making spicy tinctures with alcohol. They are not only incredibly tasty, but also very healthy. One of them, which uses bird cherry berries and honey, is described in detail below.

You will need:

• 250 g bird cherry berries;
• 1 liter of alcohol 96%;
• 1 cinnamon stick;
• 2-3 black peppercorns;
• 3 peas of allspice;
• 250 ml water;
• 3-4 tbsp. l. liquid honey;
• ¼ nutmeg;
• 3-4 buds of cloves.

Manufacturing:

1. All spices are finely chopped with a sharp knife or lightly pounded in a wooden mortar.
2. Mix 250 ml of water and alcohol, add all the crushed spices and heat the resulting mixture until it boils.
3. Add honey and boil for another 10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and cool to + 50 °C.
5. Add the remaining alcohol, close the lid and allow the drink to cool to room temperature.
6. To get the full bouquet of all the aromas present, cover the container tightly and let the drink sit for about 2 more weeks in a warm, dark place.
7. Then the tincture is filtered through several layers of gauze and poured into prepared bottles with tight lids.

Bird cherry tincture with cognac

Bird cherry tincture with cognac can surprise even connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages with its taste. The berries are used either dry or fresh, but previously slightly dried in the oven at a low temperature (+ 40 ° C).

You will need:

• 200 g bird cherry;
• 500 ml cognac;
• 70-80 g granulated sugar.

Traditional production:

1. Cover the berries with sugar, add cognac, and stir thoroughly.
2. Leave in a dark place for about 20 days.
3. Strain, pour into special bottles, seal hermetically.

Recipe for a delicious vodka tincture made from bird cherry jam

Bird cherry, ground with sugar, will be a completely adequate replacement for ordinary berries for preparing a tasty tincture. You just need to understand that there may be too much sugar in the jam, and therefore you should carefully follow the proportions recommended in the recipe and not change them at your discretion.

You will need:

• 300 g bird cherry jam;
• 500 ml vodka.

The process of making bird cherry tincture from jam is not much different from the classic one. Infuse the drink for about 2 weeks.

Tincture of frozen bird cherry berries

Frozen bird cherry berries are also quite suitable for preparing a spicy tincture.

You will need:

• 250 g frozen bird cherry;
• 100 g sugar;
• 500 ml vodka.

Manufacturing:

1. Bird cherry berries must be defrosted first.
2. The resulting juice is separated into a small container, boiled over moderate heat for 5 minutes and cooled.
3. The berries themselves are transferred to a jar, covered with sugar and poured with vodka.
4. After cooling, add the boiled juice from the bird cherry.
5. After thorough shaking, the drink is infused as usual for 2-3 weeks.

Tincture of bird cherry flowers

Bird cherry tincture obtained from its flowers is especially aromatic. It is necessary to collect flowers during their most active blooming period, approximately in the second half of May.

After collecting, the flowers must be dried as quickly as possible so that you can use the recipe below for making a tincture from them at any time. You can dry flowers either in the oven or in an electric dryer, but the drying temperature should not exceed + 50-55 °C.

However, you can prepare a tincture using fresh, just picked bird cherry flowers.

In this case, it is difficult to select a clear amount of ingredients by weight. Usually they use volumetric characteristics.

Manufacturing:

1. Depending on the number of collected bird cherry flowers, fill a jar of any volume with them, without compacting too much, about ¾ full.
2. Add vodka to the same container so that the level reaches the very neck.
3. Close the top tightly with a lid and leave in a warm and dark place for a month.
4. Then be sure to filter and add a certain amount of sugar to taste (about 200 g is usually required for a two-liter jar), shake the contents thoroughly.
5. Bottle it and let it sit for about a week in a cool place. After which the tincture can be considered ready for use.

Red cherry liqueur

There is also an interesting recipe for making red cherry liqueur, which can be used to get not only a tasty, but also a completely safe drink for health. Because it undergoes heat treatment, and hydrocyanic acid tends to break down at high temperatures. True, due to boiling, the aroma of the finished drink is slightly lost.

You will need:

• 1 kg of fresh red bird cherry berries;
• 200 g granulated sugar;
• 1 liter of vodka or diluted alcohol.

Manufacturing:

1. The berries are slightly dried in a very warm place or in a slightly heated oven for several hours.
2. Then they are crushed with a wooden masher, placed in a jar and filled with alcohol.
3. Cover the container tightly with a lid and leave for 3-4 weeks in a dark, warm place until the drink acquires a pronounced color, taste and aroma.
4. The tincture is filtered through a cotton filter, sugar is added and heated almost to a boil.
5. Cool, taste, add a little more sugar if desired.
6. Then they leave for about another week, filter again, bottle and store.

How to store bird cherry tinctures and liqueurs

Cherry tinctures and liqueurs are stored exclusively in cold rooms: in the cellar, basement or refrigerator, and without access to light. But even under such conditions, the shelf life should not exceed 1 year.

How to take bird cherry tincture correctly

The most popular use for bird cherry tincture with vodka is disinfection and assistance with various gastrointestinal diseases. In this case, it is necessary to use no more than 7 drops of tincture 3 times a day.

To provide effective assistance in curing sore throats, colds, and coughs, you should dilute 1-2 teaspoons of bird cherry alcohol tincture in a glass of warm water and gargle or drink 3 times a day. The same remedy will be effective in boosting immunity.

The same solution, when rinsed regularly, will help relieve oral diseases.

And alcohol tincture in its pure form is used for rubbing painful areas for rheumatic diseases.

Conclusion

Bird cherry tincture is both an original drink, which should preferably be consumed in very limited quantities, and a valuable medicine that can solve many health problems.

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