Does a villager have to drink a potion for it to count in the tally or is making it enough?

Making it is enough.

Thank you. Don't like the thought of making people sick...unless absolutely necessary...lol

It's helpful to test the potions, though, because more than once I've been absolutely positive I have the right recipe, and been wrong. Matching the effect on the villager to the potion lists in the guides forums can help you double-check that you're making the potion you think you're making, and avoid missing any.

Empirically, it's a good idea. Morally, well, that's up to how you view your pixels.

Very good point. I may need to rethink this a bit. I really want to complete everything. We'll see how it goes. Thanks

I don't have the patience to try for this award normally but I went for it with one village just so that I could say it had been gained.

I printed out one of the potions lists, then marked off each herb needed as it was collected, as well as when the potion itself was brewed. I only got the villagers to try some of the more amusing potions. I left the harmful ones to last (in case I accidentally fed some to a villager) and kept checking the awards page to see if I'd reached the magic 50 yet. When it did appear I stopped, so I've never made all the possible potions.

I started the being very methodical with the potion award - selecting a different combination eg. 2 cactus with every other herb then moving round in a clockwise direction to 2 tiger lily etc. I thought that this was going well but I still haven't gained the award so all I can think is that I have missed one or two combinations. Actually - does the potion count even if it has blown up?

No.