Artwalk Event: DIY Bitters

Join DIY Bitters authors Guido Masé and Jovial King for a conversation about digestive bitters, the science and history behind these flavorful concoctions, and enjoy a demo and tasting of custom-made recipes. Photographer Natalie Stultz, whose work appears in magazines, websites, books and films about artists, chefs, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and the natural elements of Vermont and beyond, will also be joining us to showcase her work in DIY Bitters.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Used since the Middle Ages, bitters are made by combining various plant botanicals and/or spices with 100-proof alcohol and letting them sit until the bitter and medicinal qualities have been extracted. Just a small amount of the resulting liquid can then be used to stimulate the digestive system and promote healthy digestion. This is why "apertifs" and "digestifs" are so popular--both then and now!

DIY Bitters is a how-to guide that explores the history and health benefits of bitters, and shows you how to make your own bitters at home, to be used alone or in cocktails, tonics, and even main meals.

Herbalists Jovial King and Guido Mase, owners of the bitters company Urban Moonshine, teach you how to make recipes for classic bitters like orange and angostura, or explore more innovative bitters like elderflower-echinacea-honey and chocolate love tonic. You can even find a guide for creating your own unique flavors from the plants and ingredients you have on hand.

Whether enjoyed as an apertif, digestif, or as a remedy to settle an upset stomach, bitters are back!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: 

Jovial King is a family herbalist and co-founder & owner of Urban Moonshine (www.urbanmoonshine.com/). She has studied herbal medicine extensively with an array of renowned teachers, including Rosemary Gladstar, Brigitte Mars, and Christopher Hobbs. Jovial started Urban Moonshine in her kitchen and has grown the company into a strong presence within the natural supplements industry. She has appeared as an Herbal Expert blogger for Martha Stewart's Whole Living website, and Urban Moonshine has been featured in Food & Wine, Mother Earth Living, Fine Cooking, Imbibe, Epicurious, and more.

Guido Masé RH(AHG) is a clinician and educator in the Western herbal tradition. He spent his childhood in Italy and has been living in Vermont since 1996. His practice interweaves clinical experience, mythology, and science. He is chief herbalist at Urban Moonshine, clinician at the Burlington Herb Clinic, faculty member and clinical supervisor at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, teacher in herbal medicine at the University of Vermont, and author of The Wild Medicine Solution. He is developing the integrative phytotherapy department at Wasso Hospital in Loliondo, Tanzania.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:

Natalie Stultz is a commercial and editorial photographer and filmmaker in Vermont. Her work appears in magazines, websites, books and films about artists, chefs, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and the natural elements of Vermont and beyond. She produced and directed the first film in the Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center series “Green Mountain Artisans”, which has aired on VTPBS.

Check out this cute video on How To Make Rose Bitter Pastilles from DIY Bitters: