How to Dilute 200 Proof to 190 Proof - Recipe

Recipes for making tinctures, extracts, concentrates, or natural food colorings will often call for 190 proof ethyl alcohol (ethanol).  190 proof ethanol is also used as a safe substitute for denatured alcohol in many instances.  The process of diluting 200 proof ethanol is as simple as "just adding water."  But how much water? And what kind of water is best?  Also, does your recipe really require 5% water or is 200 proof actually the better option? 

While we do offer Culinary Solvent as both 200 proof and 190 proof ethanol, due to the rules and regulations governing 190 proof ethanol, we do not currently offer 190 proof in bottles smaller than five gallons.  If your recipe calls for 190 proof ethanol, you can use the information on this page to find out how to dilute our 200 proof (100% alcohol by volume or ABV) Culinary Solvent ethanol down to 190 proof (95% ABV).  

Consider Substituting before Diluting

Before diluting 200 proof Culinary Solvent down to 190 proof, consider if your recipe really needs 190 proof.  In most recipes and applications, 200 proof ethanol can completely substitute 190 proof.

So, why is your recipe calling for 190 proof if 200 proof works just as well? Traditionally, 95% is the strongest ABV available to most consumers; most recipes call for 190 proof by default rather than necessity.  However, not all recipes benefit from the 5% added water present in 190 proof ethanol.  For example, THC and CBD cannabis/hemp extractions are better performed with 200 proof ethanol since the cannabinoid components are water insoluble.  In this example, using 200 proof ethanol over 190 proof will actually save you the step of weighing water without jeopardizing the quality of the extraction. 

What type of water should I use to dilute my ethanol?

Any water will work for diluting 200 proof down to 190 proof, including spring, well, tap, or distilled water.  There is no known benefit to choosing one type of water for diluting over the other.  When in doubt, choose your water by taste.  Remember, quality in = quality out. 

How to Dilute One Pint of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof

If you are certain you need 190 proof ethanol for your recipe or application, use the recipe below to dilute one pint (16 fluid ounces, 473 ml) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 proof.  Begin with a full pint bottle of Culinary Solvent and add water directly to the bottle.

1. Measure 25 milliliters (ml) of water; 25 ml is equivalent to five teaspoons.  For exceptional accuracy, use a kitchen scale: 25 ml of water will weigh 25 grams on the scale.
2. Carefully add 25 ml of water to a full pint bottle of 200 proof Culinary Solvent.  Use a funnel as needed. 
3. Close the cap tightly.  Shake gently for 30 seconds.
4. Use a permanent marker to note somewhere on the bottle of Culinary Solvent that the contents are now 95% ABV or 190 proof.

Checking numbers: Adding 25 ml water (at 0% ABV) to 473 ml (at 100% ABV) results in a total final volume of 498 ml.  25 divided into 498 results in 5% water or 95% ABV. 

How to Dilute One Quart of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof

Follow these steps to dilute one quart (32 fluid ounces, 996 ml) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 proof.  Begin with a full quart bottle of Culinary Solvent and add water directly to the bottle.

1. Measure 50 ml of water; 50 ml is equivalent to 10 teaspoons or three table spoons and one teaspoon.  For exceptional accuracy, use a kitchen scale: 50 ml of water will weigh 50 grams on the scale.
2. Carefully add 50 ml of water to a full quart bottle of 200 proof Culinary Solvent.  Use a funnel as needed. 
3. Close the cap tightly.  Shake gently for 30 seconds.
4. Use a permanent marker to note somewhere on the bottle of Culinary Solvent that the contents are now 95% ABV or 190 proof.

Checking numbers: Adding 50 ml water (at 0% ABV) to 946 ml (at 100% ABV) results in a total final volume of 996 ml.  50 divided into 996 results in 5% water or 95% ABV.

How to Dilute One Gallon of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof

As our gallons of Culinary Solvent are sold as four 32 fluid ounce bottles, you can use the recipe above to convert each quart bottle to 190 proof or 95% ABV.

How to Dilute Five Gallons of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof

Follow these steps to dilute one five-gallon jug (640 fluid ounces, 18.92 liters) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 proof.  Begin with a full five-gallon jug of Culinary Solvent and add water directly to the jug.

1. Measure one liter (L) of water.  One liter is equivalent to 1000 ml or 33.8 fluid ounces.  For exceptional accuracy, use a kitchen scale: one liter of water will weigh one kilogram (kg) or 1000 grams.  Depending on your kitchen scale, you may need to weigh out 1000 grams in separate parts so as not to max out the scale.
2. Carefully add 1 L of water to a full five-gallon jug of 200 proof Culinary Solvent.  Use a funnel as needed. 
3. Close the cap tightly.  Shake or tumble gently for 30 seconds.
4. Use a permanent marker to note somewhere on the jug of Culinary Solvent that the contents are now 95% ABV or 190 proof. 

Checking numbers: Adding one liter water (at 0% ABV) to 18.9 liters (at 100% ABV) results in a total final volume of 19.9 L.  1 divided into 19.9 results in 5% water or 95% ABV. 

Diluting 200 Proof to Make Disinfectant Sprays 

Visit our dedicated recipe page for instructions on how to dilute 200 proof Culinary Solvent for disinfectant sprays for surfaces.

Diluting 200 Proof to Make Hand Sanitizer 

Visit our dedicated recipe page for instructions on how to dilute 200 proof Culinary Solvent to make hand sanitizer that is safe for skin and repeated applications.