If you're using our powder (3/4 dried African Bird Peppers & 1/4 dried Habanero) you can use 1/4 powder & 3/4 alcohol...and still end up with tincture that may be hotter than our Cayenne #1 :) Go ahead and use the 1/4 - 3/4 ratio when you first fill the jar...the powder will swell *some*. After a couple-three days (shaking it several times a day), put a couple of dropperfuls in a glass (with a bit of water) and 'taste test' it. If it's already hotter than the Cayenne #1 tincture you have from us, add some more vodka.
Cayenne Tincture #1 is made with 95% RAW habaneros and just 1/2 cup of the powder per 1 gallon jar. The raw habbies are much less hot than the dried ones.