Aromatic bitters (standard type bitters)

• 2T dried orange peel
• Zest of 1 orange cut into strips
• 1/4 c. dried sour cherries
• 5 green cardamom pods, cracked
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise with seeds scraped out (place seeds in infusion as well as bean)
• 1/4 t. cloves
• 1/4 t. quassia chips
• 1/4 t. gentian root
• 1/2 t. cassia chips
• Pinch of dried black walnut leaf
• 2 cups 100 proof rye
• 1 c. water
• 2 tablespoons rich syrup (2:1 sugar:water simple syrup).

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Place all solids in a quart mason jar and cover with rye. Store for 2 weeks, shaking daily.

Strain out solids and reserve--place rye in a jar to store. Simmer water with solids for 10 minutes, then place in separate jar with rich syrup for a week. Strain out solids and discard, combine the two liquids. Let stand 3 days, then strain again and bottle.