About Diluting 200 Proof to 190 Proof [Recipe]

Recipes calling for pure food grade ethanol come in all shapes and sizes.  Often, recipes will call for 190 proof ethanol for making tincture, extracts, concentrates, natural food coloring, or as a safe substitute for denatured alcohol.  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 better?  This page covers those questions and more.

If your recipe calls for 190 proof ethanol, use the information contained on this page to find out how to dilute Culinary Solvent 200 proof (100% ABV) ethanol down to 190 proof (95% ABV).  We offer 190 proof ethanol for sale here starting at 5 gallons. Due to the rules and regulations governing 190 proof ethanol, we do not currently offer 190 proof in bottles smaller than 5 gallons. 

Consider Substituting before Diluting?

Before you go and dilute your 200 proof down to 190 proof, consider earnestly "Does my project really require 190 proof?".  200 proof can be substituted for 190 proof in most recipes and applications, and you are very likely just fine using the product at 200 proof.

190 proof is traditionally the strongest alcohol by volume (ABV) available to most consumers, and for this reason, most recipes have been hard wired to call for 190 proof when a high proof ethanol is required.  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 at 200 proof (100% ABV) since the cannabinoid components are water insoluble.  In this use example, 5% water will not make a huge difference in outcome of the extraction, however using 200 proof vs 190 will save you the step of weighing water, etc. 

Dilute 1 Pint of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof.

Follow these steps to dilute 1 pint (16 fluid ounces, 473 ml) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 Proof food grade ethanol.  Begin with a full pint bottle of Culinary Solvent, and add water directly to the bottle.

1. Measure 25 ml (milliliters) of water.  25 ml is equivalent to 5 teaspoons.  For added 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.
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 "190 Proof".

Checking numbers: Adding 25 ml water (at 0% alcohol by volume) to 473 ml (at 100% alcohol by volume) results in a total final volume of 498 ml.  25 divided into 498 results in 5% water, or 95% alcohol by volume (ABV). 95% ABV is the same as 190 proof.

Dilute 1 Quart of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof.

Follow these steps to dilute 1 quart (32 fluid ounces, 996 ml) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 Proof food grade ethanol.  Begin with a full quart bottle of Culinary Solvent, and add water directly to the bottle.

1. Measure 50 ml (milliliters) of water.  50 ml is equivalent to 10 teaspoons or 3 table spoons + 1 teaspoon.  For added 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.
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 "190 Proof". 

Checking numbers: Adding 50 ml water (at 0% alcohol by volume) to 946 ml (at 100% alcohol by volume) results in a total final volume of 498 ml.  50 divided into 996 results in 5% water, or 95% alcohol by volume (ABV). 95% ABV is the same as 190 proof.

Dilute 1 Gallon of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof.

Gallons of Culinary Solvent are sold as four (4) x 32 fluid ounce bottles.  To make 1 gallon of 200 proof down to 190 proof, follow the steps above for converting each quart bottle into 190 proof food grade ethanol.

Dilute 5 Gallons of 200 Proof Culinary Solvent to 190 Proof.

Follow these steps to dilute a bulk 5 gallon jug (640 fluid ounces, 18.92 liters) of 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 190 Proof food grade ethanol.  Begin with a full jug of Culinary Solvent, and add water directly to the 5 gallon jug.

1. Measure 1 L (liter) of water.  1 L is equivalent to 1000 ml or 33.8 fluid ounces.  For added accuracy, use a kitchen scale. 1 liter of water will weigh 1 kg or 1000 grams.  Depending on your kitchen scale, you may need to weigh out 1000 grams in separate parts so you don't max out the scale.
2. Carefully add 1 liter of water to a full 5 gallon jug of 200 proof Culinary Solvent.
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 "190 Proof". 

Checking numbers: Adding 1 liter water (at 0% alcohol by volume) to 18.9 liters (at 100% alcohol by volume) results in a total final volume of 19.9 L.  1 divided into 19.9 results in 5% water, or 95% alcohol by volume (ABV). 95% ABV is the same as 190 proof.

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. 

Dilute 200 proof to 80% ABV for Disinfectant Spray Recipe

Visit our dedicated recipe page for instructions on how to dilute 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 160 proof (80% ABV) solution for making a disinfectant spray for surfaces.

Dilute 200 Proof to 60% ABV for Hand Sanitizer

Visit our dedicated recipe page for instructions on how to dilute 200 proof Culinary Solvent into 120 proof (60% ABV) solution for making hand sanitizer that's safe for skin and repeated applications.