Have you ever enjoyed a Manhattan, an old-fashioned, or a Sazerac? Besides whiskey, all these drinks have one thing in common: cocktail bitters. The first two aren’t complete without a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and the latter isn’t ready without some Louisiana classic Peychaud’s bitters. If you’re an avid home mixologist, you know all about the benefits of cocktail bitters, but others don’t know what they’re missing.
Since we’re only at the beginning of how important bitters are to a well-constructed cocktail, let’s take a deep dive into this mysterious ingredient. It’s found on home bar carts from Temecula to Tampa, but what do you really know about it?
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What are bitters?
You might be wondering why that tiny, old-timey-looking bottle is a necessary part of your home bar. In the simplest terms, cocktail bitters (there are other bitters sold as aperitifs and digestifs) are highly concentrated spirits that are packed with flavor from various botanicals, herbs, spices, and fruits. That’s right, you might not realize that the tiny bottle of flavor you’re adding to your favorite cocktail contains alcohol as well, and it’s not a small amount either. On average, cocktail bitters have between 35-45% ABV. But since you’re only adding a few dashes, you likely don’t notice the extra alcohol.
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Bitters begin as neutral alcohol. It’s then infused with various flavors. This includes cardamom, cloves, gentian, orange peels, cassia, and various other herbs and spices. The first well-known brand, Angostura, was created in the 1800s and is still going strong today. Just like with many spirits, some bitters were originally created not to be cocktail ingredients, but as a medicine.
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The benefits of cocktail bitters
Even with the above information, you still might be wondering why cocktail bitters are such an important cocktail ingredient. Sure, your gin & tonic is fine without them, and your rum and cola don’t seem to need any other ingredients. But, in the simplest terms, cocktail bitters add flavor, bitterness, and balance and can help even out your cocktail by elevating other flavors. There are a lot of benefits to adding a few dashes from that tiny bottle. We haven’t even gotten to the other benefits. Since they are used as a digestif, drinking a cocktail containing cocktail bitters can aid in digestion after a heavy meal.
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Popular types of bitters
Far and away, the most popular cocktail bitter is Angostura. Although the recipe for this popular brand is a secret, it’s known for its spicy, bitter flavor and as the base for some of the most popular cocktails ever created.
Other popular cocktail bitters include (among countless others):
Peychaud’s
Regans’ Orange Bitters
The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters
Hella Cocktail Company Aromatic Bitters
Scrappy’s Celery Bitters
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How to use cocktail bitters
Using cocktail bitters to elevate your drink is surprisingly easy. If you’re looking for an easy answer on how to use them, you simply add a few dashes to your cocktail to turn the flavor up to eleven. Some bartenders refer to cocktail bitters as the “salt and pepper” of the mixed drinks world. You add a few dashes like you would with salt and pepper. Just make sure the bitters you’ve selected work in the cocktail you’re making.
Various classic cocktail recipes call for specific cocktail bitters, but sometimes it’s fun to experiment and see which flavors work for you. Want to use walnut bitters instead of Angostura bitters in an old fashioned? We won’t stop you.
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Tips to make cocktail bitters
While you can easily purchase cocktail bitters from a variety of brands, you might want to guarantee you enjoy the flavor by making your own. The easiest way to make bitters at home is to start with a jar. Add the herbs, botanicals, fruits, and other ingredients you prefer. Top it with a bottle of high-proof neutral grain spirit. Let the mixture sit for at least twenty-four hours before using it in a cocktail. You can strain some into a smaller bottle to make it easier to add dashes to your favorite drink, just like with store-bought cocktail bitters.
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How to store cocktail bitters
Storing cocktail bitters is extremely easy. Make sure the bottles are securely closed after use, and then store them in a cool dry place. They can live right on your bar cart or home bar if that’s easiest. They don’t need to be refrigerated unless they are fruit-based and say to do so on the label. They’ll last for around five years as the alcohol content will preserve them.
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What can you substitute for bitters?
If you don’t have any on hand, are too lazy, or are unable to go to the store to get some, what can you substitute for bitters? Well, sadly, there’s no substitute for cocktail bitters as they are so packed with flavor that you’d have a hard time finding something worthy of replacement. An orange peel, some infused simple syrup, or homemade bitters are pretty much the only ingredients that come close to a few dashes of potent, flavorful cocktail bitters.
A brief history of the whiskey sour cocktail (and how to make different versions)
Learn to make all these recipes of this historical drink
What is a whisky sour? The whiskey sour cocktail officially dates back to the 1860s, but sailors in the British Navy had been drinking something very similar long before that. On long sea journeys, water was not always dependable, so to combat that, spirits were often used. Scurvy, too, was another danger on these journeys, so lemons and limes were consumed to help prevent the disease (incidentally, this is also one of the reasons why British folk are called ‘Limeys’).
Finally, sugar and water were added for taste. At this point, the drink is probably starting to sound familiar. (Grog, the rum-based favorite of pirates across the seven seas, is made from the same components, substituting whiskey for the sugarcane-based spirit.)
Want the sweet taste of a cocktail without the alcohol? Then mix up these mocktails
Are you looking to take a little break from alcohol but still want the sweet taste of a cocktail on a warm summer day (no judgment)? Then mix up some mocktails so you can still indulge in some creative cocktail recipes — but without the liquor.
Sure, a mocktail won’t give you the buzz that a cocktail would, but these non-alcoholic drink recipes also won’t make you feel as bad if you have too many of them (both in terms of a hangover and on the scale, if you’re watching your weight). Below, you’ll find different mocktail recipes that range in flavor from sweet and a little spicy to fresh, like a spring garden. Bottoms up!
Berry Burlesque
Gin terminology guide: Everything you ever wanted to know
Learn about summer's perfect spirit
If you’re a fan of alcohol, you probably know some of the general terms associated with each spirit, but there’s a chance you don’t go beyond the basics. When it comes to gin, you might know that it’s a neutral spirit (like vodka) that’s distilled from grapes, wheat, barley, or another grain or natural ingredient.
This is when it deviates from vodka. While that spirit is created and filtered to have as neutral of a flavor as possible since it’s designed for mixing, gin foes the other direction. Gin is flavored with various herbs, botanicals, fruits, and other ingredients depending on the style and who is crafting it. And while the random herbs and botanicals can vary, all gin must be flavored with juniper berries. This is where it gets its piney aroma and flavor.
Basic gin terms
