Bitters are aromatic liquids made from infusing herbs, barks, roots, spices, and botanicals in high-proof alcohol. They have an extremely concentrated, potent flavor and are used in small amounts to provide depth of flavor and complexity to cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
What are Bitters?
Bitters originated as patent medicines sold in the 18th and 19th centuries as digestive tonics and cure-alls. The extremely high alcohol content of bitters was used as a preservative to extend shelf life. Popular brands like Angostura bitters were originally marketed for their supposed medicinal qualities.
While bitters are no longer used as medicine, they have become an indispensable component of cocktails. Just a few drops of bitters can impact the flavor of a drink. The botanicals infused in the spirit provide subtle bitterness, brightness, and aromatics. The bitters help balance sweetness, enhance the flavor profile, and add complexity.
There are many styles of bitters available today:
- Aromatic – balanced blend of spices and botanicals like cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. Most closely associated with classic cocktails.
- Orange – bright, zesty orange flavor.
- Peychaud’s – anise and peppermint.
- Lemon or grapefruit – bright citrus.
- Mint or menthol.
- Chocolate or coffee – richer dark flavors.
- Fruit – cherry, raspberry, peach, strawberry, etc.
While each imparts its own characteristic flavor, all styles of bitters share an extremely concentrated, bitter, potent flavor profile. They are used sparingly in dashes or drops.
Popular Cocktails Made with Bitters
Here are some of the most popular cocktails that traditionally use bitters:
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is the quintessential bitters cocktail. This simple, classic drink contains just whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water. The Old Fashioned allows the bitters to take center stage. Typically an aromatic or orange bitters is used.
Manhattan
The Manhattan also highlights bitters starring alongside whiskey and sweet vermouth. Traditional recipes call for aromatic bitters, but different varieties can provide a twist. Cherries and an orange twist garnish complement the flavors.
Sazerac
The official cocktail of New Orleans, the Sazerac is made with rye whiskey or cognac, Peychaud’s bitters, sugar, and absinthe or herbsaint. The anise notes of the bitters pair well with the licorice flavor of absinthe.
Negroni
This popular Italian aperitif brings together equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, which is considered a bitters liqueur. The bitterness of Campari is essential to balancing the Negroni’s flavors.
Martinez
A Martinez cocktail contains gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters. It’s considered a precursor to the gin martini. The bitters provide a counterpoint to the drink’s sweetness.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier uses the same ingredients as a Negroni, substituting in whiskey. The combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari is given depth by a dash or two of bitters.
Margarita
A dash of bitters in a margarita adds complexity and helps cut the sweetness of triple sec and lime. Orange, grapefruit, or lemon bitters complement the citrus flavors.
Mule
Ginger beer can have an intensely sweet flavor. Adding bitters to a Moscow mule or other ginger beer cocktail provides balance. Aromatic or orange bitters work well.
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary can be spiced up with a dash or two of bitters. Celery, lemon, aromatic, or even chili-infused bitters enhance this savory cocktail.
Mojito
A bitter mojito adds depth of flavor and complexity. Use grapefruit or lemon bitters to complement the mint and lime.
Paloma
The Paloma mixes tequila with grapefruit juice and soda. A dash of grapefruit or lemon bitters accentuates the grapefruit flavor.
Whiskey or Bourbon on the Rocks
Add bitters to bourbon, rye, or another whiskey served on the rocks. Orange, aromatic, or cherry bitters add interest to the liquor’s flavor.
Tequila on the Rocks
Make tequila on rocks more complex by adding grapefruit, lemon, or lime bitters. Salting the rim balances the bitterness.
Cocktails that Sometimes Contain Bitters
While not definitive ingredients, bitters can also enhance the flavors of these cocktails:
- Mint Julep
- Pisco Sour
- Daiquiri
- Mojito
- Gimlet
- Cosmopolitan
- Vodka Cranberry
- Gin and Tonic
- Mimosa
- Bellini
Dash in a bitter liqueur like Campari or add a few drops of aromatic, citrus, mint, or fruit bitters to any of the above cocktails for extra depth and complexity. Bitters help bridge flavors and unify cocktail ingredients.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Enhanced by Bitters
Bitters aren’t just for alcoholic drinks! They can enhance the flavor of non-alcoholic beverages as well. Try adding a dash or two of bitters to:
- Soda water, ginger ale or ginger beer
- Iced tea
- Lemonade or limeade
- Milkshakes and floats
- Smoothies
- Juices
- Mocktails
- Coffee
Grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, and aromatic bitters complement fruity flavors. Chocolate or coffee bitters can enhance creamier drinks. Chili-infused or mint bitters add a flavor twist. The possibilities are endless for making virgin cocktails more exciting with bitters.
How to Use Bitters
Bitters are potent, highly concentrated, and used sparingly in small amounts:
- Old fashioneds and Manhattans: 2-4 dashes
- Other cocktails: 1-3 dashes
- Bitter liqueurs like Campari: 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 oz
- Non-alcoholic drinks: 1-3 dashes
Bitters come in dropper bottles that deliver the liquid one drop at a time. Count your dashes or drops carefully, as bitters can quickly overwhelm. Add bitters to your cocktail shaker or mixing glass during preparation.
When making a drink like an Old Fashioned, first muddle sugar and bitters before adding ice and liquor. This evenly distributes the bitters and infuses them into the cocktail.
Bitters are highly concentrated and do contain alcohol, so use a light hand. But don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties of bitters and add them to all kinds of cocktails and beverages.
Popular Brands of Bitters
Longstanding brands of bitters include:
- Angostura – Aromatic bitters with a blend of tropical spices and botanicals. Bright orange brown color.
- Peychaud’s – Anise and mint flavors. Crimson color.
- Fee Brothers – Wide range of flavors like lemon, orange, peach, rhubarb, mint, etc.
- Regans’ Orange Bitters – Bright, robust orange flavor.
- Bittermens – Unique flavors like grapefruit, celery, and Hellfire Habanero Shrub bitters.
There are also an increasing number of small batch and artisanal bitters producers to explore. Try bitters samplers to discover new flavors.
Making Your Own Bitters
It’s easy to DIY bitters at home with neutral spirits and botanicals. Try some of these combinations:
- Orange: Dried orange peel, caraway seed, cardamom
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit peel, grains of paradise, licorice root
- Lemon: Lemon peel, lemongrass, ginger
- Lime: Lime peel, green cardamom, juniper berries
- Aromatic: Cinchona bark, clove, cinnamon, cardamom
- Cherry-Vanilla: Tart cherry juice, vanilla bean, fennel seed
Steep ingredients in alcohol for 2-4 weeks, then strain and bottle. Start with small batches, like 4 ounces alcohol to 1⁄2 ounce ingredients. Adjust flavors as desired. Homemade bitters make great gifts!
Cocktail Bitters Recipes
Looking for cocktail recipes that use bitters? Here are some classic and creative cocktails that feature bitters:
Classic Cocktails
| Cocktail | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Old Fashioned | Bourbon, sugar, aromatic bitters |
| Manhattan | Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, aromatic bitters |
| Negroni | Gin, sweet vermouth, Campari |
| Boulevardier | Bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth |
| Sazerac | Rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, absinthe |
Creative Bitters Cocktails
| Cocktail | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Grapefruit Paloma | Tequila, grapefruit juice, grapefruit bitters, soda |
| Elderflower Gin and Tonic | Gin, elderflower liqueur, tonic water, orange bitters |
| Bitter Martini | Gin, dry vermouth, lemon bitters |
| Bitter Mai Tai | Rum, orange liqueur, orgeat, lime juice, grapefruit bitters |
| Bitter Margarita | Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, grapefruit bitters |
Conclusion
While bitters were originally prized for supposed medicinal properties, today they are invaluable for bringing balance, depth, and complexity to cocktails. Just a few dashes or drops of bitters can elevate the flavor of classic and creative mixed drinks. Keep a selection of different bitters on hand to experiment by enhancing old fashioneds, Manhattans, margaritas, and more with their concentrated botanical essences. Whether used in alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages, bitters add a welcome bitter complexity.