Make sure your glass jar, lid, and amber dropper bottle are clean.
If you’re using fresh peppers, use a knife to chop them up. This increases the surface area that is exposed to the alcohol which will lead to a more concentrated tincture.
Add the fresh cayenne peppers to the jar and fill it up ¾ of the way full.
If you’re using dried peppers, fill the jar ½ full to leave room for the peppers to expand when they absorb the alcohol.
If you’re using powdered peppers, use a 1:2 ratio with alcohol. For example, if you use a 4oz mason jar, add about 2 tablespoons of powdered cayenne pepper into the jar.
Completely submerge the peppers in alcohol.
Add the lid to the jar and shake it to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
Leave it sit in a cool, dark place like a kitchen cabinet or pantry.
After 4-6 weeks, use cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to strain off the peppers from the tincture. Make sure to remove all of the pepper from the tincture to avoid the tincture spoiling early.
Use a funnel to pour the tincture into the amber bottle.
Date and label the bottle so you know what it is, and enjoy!