This is not to hard to make and does seem to work just as well as store bought options.
1. Get witch hazel bark or witch hazel twigs (about a pound) and a gallon of distilled water.
2. Wash them to remove any fine particles (particularly if using bark).
3. Put witch hazel bark or twigs in a large stock pot and dump 3/4 of the gallon of distilled water over it. The water should cover the hazel bark or twigs.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to keep it simmering.
6. Cover and continue to simmer for six hours add the rest of the water as needed to keep the witch hazel bark/twigs covered.
7. Cool and dump through cheese cloth or a coffee filter.
8. Refrigerate if you want alcohol free or add cheap vodka now at about a 1 to 3 part ratio. 1 part vodka to 3 parts witch hazel.
I do not mind the astringent version (with alcohol) so I did not choose to keep any in the fridge. I have no idea how long the refrigerated stuff will last in practice however the recipe I was mostly following says 2 to 3 weeks...
To keep your SO happy do this outside on your grills side burner if you have it, otherwise the whole house will smell of witch hazel.
In addition if you are expecting a clear colored liquid you will need a much better filter than cheese cloth or a coffee filter.
Home Made Witch Hazel
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