How To Make Hops Tincture (Homemade Extract Recipe)

Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico

Hops tincture is a great natural remedy to have on hand to help with sleep issues and anxiety, as well as digestive issues. While hops is most known for its role in brewing beer, it also has a history in herbal medicine for its calming properties.

You probably know hops (humulus lupulus) as the plant that is used to shape the flavour and aroma of beer. But the plant also has medicinal benefits like helping to improve sleep and reduce anxiety and can be tinctured to make these benefits more easily accessible. 

Beyond the medicinal uses, you can also use hops tincture to flavour cooking, baking, and homemade drinks. Hop extract can give a subtle bitterness and floral aroma to dishes and can add a more complex flavor to various foods and drinks.

Benefits of hops 

Sleep aid – Hops contains compounds that have a sedative effect. The tincture can be used to help with sleep disorders, promote restful sleep, and combat insomnia.

Helps with anxiety – The alpha and beta acids in hops can lower stress levels and help to calm the central nervous system.

Digestive support – Hops have bitter compounds that can stimulate digestion and relieve heartburn.

Menopausal support – While more research is needed, some have suggested that hops can alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.

Anti-inflammatory – Xanthohumol in hops has anti-inflammatory effects and can help with mild pain relief

Dried or fresh herbs

I recommend using dried hops to make this tincture. Fresh flowers have a lot of water content in them which can make the tincture spoil more quickly. If you use fresh plant material make sure to use a very strong alcohol (like Everclear) to offset the additional water.

How to make hops tincture

Tools

An airtight container with a tight-fitting lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.

Small amber glass dropper bottles – I like these

A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter – I like these unbleached ones

A small funnel

Supplies

Dried hops – Here’s an organic source.

80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. (I buy this bulk raw apple cider vinegar and this food-grade glycerin.) If you’re using fresh hops, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

To make hops tincture, you use the hop cones (also known as strobiles or female flowers). I am using dried hops that I purchased online from a trusted source.

Add the dried hop flowers to a clean mason jar (or any clean glass jar you have). If you’re using dried hops, fill the jar about ⅓ of the way full to leave room for the hops to absorb the alcohol.

Cover the hops with a good quality alcohol. I used an unflavoured vodka but you can use any alcohol you can, as long as it’s over 80-proof. If you’re using fresh hops, make sure to use an alcohol over 80-proof like Everclear.

Add a lid to your jar and shake it to cover everything with alcohol.

Add a label and date it so you don’t forget what it is. 

The hops will soak up a lot of alcohol initially. Leave it to sit overnight and then top it up with alcohol.

Set it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard for 6-8 weeks.

Try to shake it a few times a week and add more alcohol if you see any plant material sticking out from the alcohol.

After 8 weeks, use cheesecloth to a strainer to strain off the hops. You can do a few strains to make sure all the plant material is removed.

Add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle or another glass jar.

Date and label it and it’s ready to use.

How much hops tincture to take?

You can start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (approximately 20-40 drops) 2-3 times daily. This can be adjusted based on how your body responds and the advice of a healthcare professional.

For sleep – You can take 1/2 teaspoon (about 40 drops) approximately 30 minutes before bedtime.

For anxiety – You can take 1/4 teaspoon (around 20 drops) as needed.

How long does hops tincture last?

Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal tinctures, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.

How to make this without alcohol

You can simply swap the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. Vinegar and glycerin aren’t as good as alcohol at extracting the beneficial compounds or preserving them. I like to consume vinegar-based extracts within about 6 months and glycerin-based extracts within a year. 

Ways to consume hops tincture

Diluted – Add the dosage to a glass of water or juice.

Directly – For the quickest absorption, add the dosage under the tongue. Hold it there for 30 seconds and then swallow.

In tea – Add the dosage into herbal tea.

Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication. 

What to read next

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Easy DIY Lavender Extract Recipe (For Baking and Drinks)

How To Make Passionflower Tincture (Calming Herbal Tincture)

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