Colouring Mixtures for Liqueurs and Beverages

Ingredients

• 0.5 drachm (approximately 1.8 grams or 1/2 teaspoon) Saffron threads (For yellow coloring)
• 2 ounces (60 ml) High-proof spirits or vodka (at least 150 proof/75% alcohol) (For yellow coloring; original calls for 62 degrees over proof)
• 2 ounces (56 grams) Red sandalwood chips (For red coloring; also called red sanders wood)
• 1 pint (473 ml) High-proof spirits or vodka (For red coloring)
• 1 pinch Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) (Optional, to deepen red color if needed)
• 0.5 ounce (14 grams) Cochineal powder or carmine (For pink coloring; natural red dye from insects)
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) High-proof spirits or vodka (For pink coloring; sufficient quantity to dissolve cochineal)
• 1 handful (about 1 cup packed) Fresh vine leaves or spinach leaves, well-cleansed (For green coloring; use grape vine leaves or substitute spinach)
• 1 pint (473 ml) High-proof spirits or vodka (For green coloring; enough to fill decanter with leaves)

Instructions

1. 1Place half a drachm (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) of saffron threads into a 4-ounce glass bottle or jar. Pour 2 ounces of high-proof spirits over the saffron.
2. 2Seal the bottle and let it stand at room temperature until the spirit is tinted a deep yellow color. This typically takes 3-7 days. Shake gently once daily.
3. 3Once the desired deep yellow color is achieved, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle, discarding the saffron threads. Store in a sealed bottle away from light.
4. 4Place 2 ounces of red sandalwood chips into a glass jar or bottle. Pour 1 pint of high-proof spirits over the sandalwood.
5. 5Seal the container and let it stand at room temperature for a fortnight (14 days). Shake gently every few days to help extraction.
6. 6After 14 days, check the color intensity. If not dark enough, add a pinch of baking soda to deepen the tint. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle, discarding the wood chips. Store sealed away from light.
7. 7Place half an ounce of cochineal powder into a glass jar. Add sufficient high-proof spirits (approximately 1/4 cup or 60 ml) to dissolve the cochineal completely. Stir or shake well until fully dissolved.
8. 8Once dissolved, strain through a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove any undissolved particles. Store in a sealed bottle away from light.
9. 9Thoroughly wash and dry a handful of fresh vine leaves or spinach leaves. Place them into a glass decanter or jar. Fill the container with high-proof spirits (approximately 1 pint).
10. 10Seal the container and place it in direct sunlight for 10 to 12 days. The chlorophyll will extract into the alcohol, creating a bright green color.
11. 11Once the spirits have become bright green, strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle, discarding the leaves. Store sealed in a dark place to preserve the color.