Homemade Catnip Tincture and Extract Recipe using Food Grade Ethanol

Catnip tincture is an aromatic herbal preparation made from the aerial parts of Nepeta cataria. Catnip is a leafy flowering herb in the mint family, so the freshness, aroma, cut size, and proof of the menstruum all affect the finished tincture. This guide explains how to select quality catnip, prepare it for extraction, blend a 100 proof ethanol-water menstruum, and make a homemade catnip tincture using 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol as the starting solvent.

What is Catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, the same botanical family as mint, lemon balm, thyme, oregano, and sage. It is known for its soft stems, fragrant leaves, pale flowers, and recognizable aroma. In tincture-making, the aerial parts are most relevant, especially the leaves and flowering tops.

Although catnip is widely known for its effect on cats, it also has a long history in European and North American household herbal traditions. That traditional context helps explain why catnip remains a familiar aromatic herb in small-batch tincture work, but it should not be treated as proof of any medical effect. For broader background, see this guide to traditional botanical preparations.

Why Make Catnip Extract or Tincture?

A catnip tincture preserves the plant’s aromatic character in a stable liquid form that is easier to store, measure, and repeat than fresh herb alone. For herbalists and apothecaries, catnip is a useful example of a soft aerial herb that benefits from fresh-smelling material and a balanced ethanol-water menstruum. For hands-on DIY enthusiasts, it is also a practical way to learn how leafy aromatic herbs differ from roots, barks, seeds, and mushrooms.

The main goal is to capture the plant’s aromatic profile while also extracting water-soluble constituents from the leaf and flowering tops. A measured ethanol-water blend gives the recipe a better fit than straight 190 proof or 200 proof ethanol.

Where Does Catnip Grow?

Catnip is native to Europe and parts of Asia and has naturalized widely across North America. It grows well in sunny areas with well-drained soil and is commonly found in gardens, field edges, disturbed ground, and open spaces. Because catnip is valued for its leaves and flowering tops, harvest timing matters. Material gathered during healthy active growth will usually have better color and aroma.

If foraging catnip, confirm identification before harvesting. Use a trusted field guide, local expert, or regional plant resource, especially if you are new to identifying mint-family plants. Choose clean areas away from roadside spray, treated lawns, industrial runoff, and contaminated drainage areas. Harvest only where permitted and only from healthy plant populations.

Sourcing and Selecting Quality Catnip

For the main recipe, dried catnip is the most practical starting material because it is widely available from herb suppliers and easy to store before use. Look for catnip labeled with the botanical name Nepeta cataria and the plant part, aerial parts, herb, leaves, or flowering tops. Good dried catnip should retain a green color, a clean minty aroma, and a recognizable leafy texture.

Avoid dried catnip that looks brown, dusty, faded, damp, moldy, or nearly odorless. If using fresh catnip, choose vibrant leaves and flowering tops with no visible mold, residue, or decay. The aroma should be clean and lively, not sour or musty. Quality in = Quality out.

Preparing Catnip for Extraction

If using dried catnip, weigh it before adding it to the jar and gently break up any large clumps. Avoid grinding it into fine powder, because powdered leafy herbs can compact, trap liquid, and make straining more difficult.

If using fresh catnip, inspect the leaves and flowering tops, remove damaged material, and allow any surface moisture to dry before weighing. Coarsely chop the herb to increase surface area while keeping the plant material easy to handle. A coarse cut is usually enough for soft aromatic herbs like catnip.

Choosing the Right Menstruum

The menstruum is the liquid solvent blend used to extract the plant material. Catnip contains aromatic compounds associated with the mint family, including volatile oil constituents such as nepetalactones and related terpenes. It also contains water-soluble compound groups often found in leafy herbs, including phenolic acids, flavonoid glycosides, tannins, minerals, and plant sugars.

Because catnip includes both aromatic alcohol-soluble constituents and water-soluble leafy-herb components, a 50% ABV ethanol-water blend is a practical fit. The ethanol portion supports aromatic extraction and preservation, while the water portion helps draw from the leaf and flowering tops.

Why 100 Proof Works for Catnip

This recipe uses a 50% ABV extraction strength, which equals 100 proof. That target was selected from the Catnip ratio reference and matches the general range used for many aromatic aerial herbs. It gives catnip enough ethanol for its aromatic profile without making the menstruum too alcohol-heavy for a soft leafy herb.

Use 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol as the starting product, then dilute it with water before adding it to the jar. Starting with 200 proof makes the dilution simple and gives you direct control over the final 100 proof strength. For more detail, see this guide to diluting food grade ethanol.

Recommended Ingredient-to-Menstruum Ratio

The main recipe uses dried catnip herb at a 1:5 ratio. In plain terms, that means 1 part dried catnip by weight to 5 parts finished menstruum by volume. For an 8 fl oz batch of finished menstruum, use 1.6 oz dried catnip by weight.

A fresh catnip ratio is also available. Fresh herb uses a stronger plant-to-liquid ratio of 1:2, which means 4 oz fresh catnip by weight for 8 fl oz of finished menstruum. The table below shows both options using the same 100 proof target.

Ingredient State	Plant Part	Ratio	Amount for 8 fl oz Menstruum	Target ABV
Fresh	Aerial parts / herb	1:2	4 oz fresh catnip by weight	50% ABV, 100 proof
Dried	Aerial parts / herb	1:5	1.6 oz dried catnip by weight	50% ABV, 100 proof

How to Prepare 8 fl oz of 100 Proof Menstruum

To prepare 8 fl oz of 100 proof menstruum from 200 proof ethanol, use this dilution:

• Final menstruum volume: 8 fl oz
• Target ABV: 50%
• Starting ethanol ABV: 100%
• 200 proof ethanol needed: 8 fl oz × 0.50 = 4 fl oz
• Water needed: 8 fl oz - 4 fl oz = 4 fl oz

Measure 4 fl oz of 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol and combine it with 4 fl oz of clean water. Stir or swirl gently before pouring the menstruum over the prepared catnip.

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Recipe: Homemade Catnip Tincture

This recipe makes a dried catnip tincture using a 100 proof finished menstruum and a 1:5 dried herb ratio.

Ingredients

• 1.6 oz dried catnip aerial parts by weight
• 4 fl oz 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol
• 4 fl oz clean water
• Final menstruum volume: 8 fl oz at 50% ABV, or 100 proof

Equipment

• Clean glass jar with tight-fitting lid
• Kitchen scale
• Liquid measuring tools
• Stirring utensil
• Fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or tincture press
• Amber glass bottle for finished storage

Instructions

1. Weigh 1.6 oz of dried catnip aerial parts.
2. Gently break up any large clumps without grinding the herb into fine powder.
3. Add the dried catnip to a clean glass jar.
4. In a separate measuring vessel, combine 4 fl oz of 200 proof ethanol with 4 fl oz of clean water to make 8 fl oz of 100 proof menstruum.
5. Pour the prepared menstruum over the catnip until the herb is fully wetted and covered.
6. Seal the jar tightly and label it with the ingredient, botanical name, plant part, ratio, proof, and start date.
7. Store the jar away from direct sunlight during maceration. Shake gently once per day or every few days.
8. Allow the tincture to macerate for 2 to 4 weeks.
9. Strain if a clear finished tincture is preferred, or leave the marc in the menstruum if that fits your process.
10. Transfer the finished tincture to amber glass and store it away from heat and light.

This aromatic herb tincture can also be a useful reference point when comparing other preparations in the Recipe Directory.

Storage Best Practices

The catnip marc may remain in the menstruum after maceration, and straining is optional depending on your preferred texture and clarity. Clear glass is acceptable during maceration as long as the jar is kept out of direct sunlight. For longer-term storage, amber or UV-protective glass is preferred.

Keep the finished tincture tightly sealed and away from sustained heat, direct light, and open flame. Label the bottle with the ingredient name, botanical name, plant part, proof, ratio, plant state, and date made. For more detailed handling guidance, see these Storage tips.

Final Thoughts on Crafting a Catnip Tincture

Catnip is a soft aromatic herb, so a balanced menstruum is a better fit than straight high-proof alcohol. A 100 proof ethanol-water blend supports both aromatic extraction and the water-soluble side of the aerial parts, while the 1:5 dried herb ratio keeps the batch practical and repeatable.

For best results, begin with correctly identified Nepeta cataria, use clean and aromatic plant material, avoid over-grinding, prepare the menstruum before adding it to the jar, and store the finished tincture carefully.

Shop Food Grade Ethanol for Catnip Tincture

Use 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol to prepare the 100 proof menstruum for this catnip tincture recipe. Starting with 200 proof gives you control over dilution and helps keep the recipe accurate, clean, and repeatable.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified professional before using tinctures for any specific application. Individual reactions may vary.