Homemade Licorice Root Tincture and Extract Recipe
Licorice root is a naturally sweet, earthy botanical root used in culinary, aromatic, and traditional botanical preparations. A homemade licorice root tincture or extract turns the dense dried root into a liquid preparation that is easier to measure, blend, and store for non-medical home herbal projects.
This guide explains how to make a licorice root tincture using dried Glycyrrhiza glabra root and a 90 proof ethanol-water menstruum prepared from USDA Certified Organic 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol. Unlike resin ingredients that may call for 200 proof ethanol used neat, licorice root benefits from a balanced ethanol-water blend because the root contains both alcohol-friendly and water-friendly compounds.
What is Licorice Root?
Licorice root comes from Glycyrrhiza glabra, a perennial plant in the Fabaceae family. The root is known for its naturally sweet flavor, dense texture, tan to yellow-brown color, and earthy aroma.
For tincture making, the relevant plant part is the root. Licorice root contains several compound groups that behave differently in extraction, including glycyrrhizin and related saponins, sugars, polysaccharides, flavonoids, chalcones, and other root constituents. This is why the recipe uses a 90 proof menstruum rather than straight 200 proof ethanol.
Why Make Licorice Root Tincture or Extract?
A licorice root tincture gives you a liquid way to work with a dense, naturally sweet root. Cut licorice root can take time to infuse into recipes, while a tincture allows the root’s flavor and botanical character to be prepared ahead of time and stored in a compact bottle.
Licorice root has a long history in traditional botanical preparations, including European, Ayurvedic, and Traditional Chinese Medicine contexts. This historical use is included for background only and is not a medical claim.
For herbalists, apothecaries, and DIY makers, licorice root is also a good example of why proof selection matters. The root contains water-friendly compounds and alcohol-friendly compounds, so the best practical menstruum is a blend of ethanol and water.
Where Does Licorice Root Grow?
Glycyrrhiza glabra is native across parts of the Mediterranean and western to central Asia. It grows as a perennial or subshrub and has been cultivated for its roots in regions where the climate and soil support root development.
Commercial licorice root is usually sold dried, cut, sifted, sliced, or powdered. For home tincture making, cut and sifted dried root is often the easiest form to use because it is easier to weigh, easier to cover with menstruum, and easier to strain than fine powder.
Sourcing and Selecting Quality Licorice Root
Choose licorice root from a reputable herb supplier, apothecary, or botanical ingredient seller. Look for material identified as Glycyrrhiza glabra root. The root should smell sweet, earthy, and fresh, with no musty odor, mold, excess dust, or signs of poor storage.
Cut licorice root should be dry, clean, and reasonably uniform in size. Powdered licorice root can be used, but it is harder to strain and may produce a heavier sediment layer in the finished tincture. For most home batches, cut root is the more practical choice.
Quality matters because the finished tincture can only reflect the root material used. Old, weak-smelling, dusty, or poorly stored licorice root will produce a weaker and less pleasant extract.
Preparing Licorice Root for Extraction
Dried licorice root should be cut, chopped, or lightly broken before extraction so the menstruum can reach more surface area. If your licorice root is already cut and sifted, it can usually be used as-is. If the pieces are large, break them into smaller pieces before weighing.
Avoid grinding the root into a fine powder unless you are prepared for slower straining and more sediment. Powdered root can also absorb more menstruum, which may reduce the amount of finished tincture recovered after pressing and filtering.
Choosing the Right Menstruum
The menstruum is the liquid used to extract compounds from the plant material. For licorice root, the recommended menstruum is 90 proof, or 45% ABV.
This proof is lower than straight 200 proof ethanol because licorice root contains a meaningful water-soluble fraction, including glycyrrhizin salts, sugars, polysaccharides, and saponins. At the same time, some flavonoids, chalcones, coumarins, and other compounds benefit from ethanol. A 90 proof ethanol-water blend gives the recipe both ethanol and water in the same menstruum.
Starting with USDA Certified Organic 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol gives you a clean high-proof starting point that can be diluted accurately to the target strength. For more help with dilution, see this guide to dilute your 200 proof ethanol for tincture recipes.
Why 90 Proof Works for Licorice Root
90 proof, or 45% ABV, works well for licorice root because it gives the finished menstruum enough water to work with the root’s sweet, saponin-rich, and polysaccharide-containing fraction while still retaining enough ethanol to extract alcohol-friendly compounds.
Using 200 proof ethanol undiluted would make the extraction too alcohol-heavy for this root and would leave out the useful role water plays in root extraction. Using a much lower proof could make the menstruum less effective for the alcohol-friendly fraction. A 90 proof menstruum is a practical middle ground for dried licorice root.
Recommended Ingredient-to-Menstruum Ratio
The recommended licorice root tincture ratio is 1:5. That means 1 part dried licorice root by weight to 5 parts finished menstruum by volume. For an 8 fl oz batch, use 1.6 oz dried licorice root by weight.
| Ingredient State | Plant Part | Ratio | Amount for 8 fl oz Menstruum | Target ABV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dried | Root | 1:5 | 1.6 oz dried licorice root by weight | 45% ABV, 90 proof |
The ratio applies to finished menstruum volume, not ethanol volume alone. For this recipe, the finished 8 fl oz menstruum is made from 3.6 fl oz of 200 proof ethanol plus 4.4 fl oz of water.
How to Prepare 8 fl oz of 90 Proof Menstruum
To make 8 fl oz of 90 proof menstruum from 200 proof food grade ethanol, combine 3.6 fl oz of 200 proof ethanol with 4.4 fl oz of water. This produces 8 fl oz of 45% ABV menstruum before the licorice root is added.
| Final Menstruum Volume | Target Strength | 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 fl oz | 90 proof, 45% ABV | 3.6 fl oz | 4.4 fl oz |
Measure carefully and mix the ethanol and water before adding the menstruum to the root. Use clean water suitable for food preparation. When ethanol and water are mixed, the liquid may warm slightly and the final volume can contract a little. For small home tincture batches, careful measuring remains a practical approach.
Recipe Execution
Ingredients
- 1.6 oz dried licorice root by weight, cut or lightly broken
- 3.6 fl oz USDA Certified Organic 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol
- 4.4 fl oz water
Equipment
- Clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
- Kitchen scale
- Liquid measuring tools
- Stirring utensil
- Fine mesh strainer, reusable filter bag, or coffee filter
- Amber glass bottle for finished storage
Steps
- Weigh 1.6 oz of dried licorice root.
- Break or chop large pieces into smaller pieces to increase surface area.
- Measure 3.6 fl oz of 200 proof food grade ethanol.
- Measure 4.4 fl oz of water.
- Combine the ethanol and water to make 8 fl oz of 90 proof menstruum.
- Place the prepared licorice root into a clean glass jar.
- Pour the 90 proof menstruum over the root until the plant material is fully covered.
- Seal the jar tightly and shake gently.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place during maceration.
- Shake the jar periodically to keep the root in contact with the menstruum.
- After maceration, strain through a fine mesh strainer, reusable filter bag, or coffee filter.
- Transfer the finished tincture to amber glass and label it with the ingredient, ratio, proof, and date.
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Storage Best Practices
Store finished licorice root tincture in amber or other UV-protective glass, away from heat and direct sunlight. A cool cabinet or pantry is a good choice. Keep the bottle tightly sealed to reduce evaporation and limit air exposure.
Clear glass can be used during maceration if the jar is kept away from sunlight. For finished storage, amber glass is preferred. Some sediment may settle in the bottle over time, especially if powdered root was used. Let the bottle sit upright and decant carefully if you want a clearer pour.
For more information about safe handling and storage, see these Storage tips for food grade ethanol.
Final Thoughts
Licorice root is a useful example of why root tinctures should not automatically be made with straight 200 proof ethanol. The root contains both water-friendly and alcohol-friendly compound groups, so a 90 proof ethanol-water menstruum is a better fit for this preparation.
For the most practical home recipe, use dried licorice root at a 1:5 ratio with 8 fl oz of finished 90 proof menstruum. With clean root material, careful dilution, and proper storage, homemade licorice root tincture can be a useful addition to educational, culinary, and botanical extract projects.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. No medical claims are made regarding licorice root tincture or licorice root extract. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which may not be appropriate for some people or some uses. Do not use this article as dosage guidance. Consult a qualified professional before using licorice root tincture for wellness purposes, especially if pregnant, nursing, managing blood pressure, managing kidney or heart concerns, or taking medications. Individual reactions, sensitivities, and allergies may vary.
Shop Food Grade Ethanol for Licorice Root Tincture
Ready to make homemade licorice root tincture? Start with USDA Certified Organic 200 Proof Food Grade Ethanol from Culinary Solvent and dilute it to 90 proof for this licorice root extraction recipe.
