Go Back
–+ servings
A close up of an amber glass dropper bottle with hops tincture inside. There is dried hops in front of the bottle.
Nico

How To Make Hops Tincture (Homemade Extract Recipe)

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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 56 days
Total Time 56 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 bottle
Course: Tinctures for Sleep
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • .5 cups Dried hops Here's a dried source
  • 1 cup 80-proof unflavoured alcohol If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or 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.

Equipment

  • 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. – I use these glass mason jars
  • Small amber glass dropper bottles - here's the ones I use
  • A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter - I like this unbleached cheesecloth
  • A small funnel

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Add a lid to your jar and shake it to cover everything with alcohol.
  5. Add a label and date it so you don’t forget what it is. 
  6. The hops will soak up a lot of alcohol initially. Leave it to sit overnight and then top it up with alcohol.
  7. Set it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard for 6-8 weeks.
  8. Try to shake it a few times a week and add more alcohol if you see any plant material sticking out from the alcohol.
  9. 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.
  10. Add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle or another glass jar.
  11. Date and label it and it’s ready to use.

Notes

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.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!