Boy, I'd like to see the blender that could break them hard little berries up without letting them soak for awhile first. This is why you let your tincture ingredients soak for a few days in the vodka before macerating. It helps to soften up the herbs first to make the macerating more effective. There really is nothing else to it.
1. Put herbs & vodka in jar.
2. After a few days, macerate contents. Put back in jar.
3. Tinctures will be ready to use in 2 weeks.
And of course, don't forget to shake your tinctures daily.