The Essential Guide to Cocktail Bitters
Table of Contents
Why Bitters Matter
Bitters are the secret weapon in every great bartender’s toolkit. They are strong little drops that make drinks taste better. Bitters are like the salt and pepper of cocktails. They help all the flavors in your drink work well together.
Today, there are more than 240 kinds of bitters in the U.S. alone![^1] People love trying new and fun flavors like mushroom and yuzu.
Bitters make drinks taste more complex. A study shows they can make a drink seem 40% more interesting![^2] That’s why 63% of bartenders use bitters in 3 or more cocktails every time they work![^3]
What Are Bitters? (A Quick History)
Bitters started as medicine! In the 1800s, people took them to help their tummies feel better.
The most famous bitters, Angostura, was made in 1824.[^4] It is still used in 92% of classic whiskey drinks today. That’s almost 200 years of making drinks taste good!
What’s in bitters?
- Bitter plants (like gentian root)
- Herbs
- Spices
- Alcohol to hold all the flavors
The first time a “cock-tail” was described in 1806, it had bitters in it. So bitters have been important in drinks for a very long time!
Types of Bitters: A Breakdown
There are many kinds of bitters. Let’s look at the main types:
| Type of Bitters | What They Taste Like | Good For | Popular Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatic | Spicy and woody | Old Fashioneds, Manhattans | Angostura, Peychaud’s |
| Citrus | Orange, lemon, grapefruit | Gin and vodka drinks | Regan’s Orange, Fee Brothers |
| Herbal/Floral | Lavender, chamomile | Light, flowery drinks | Scrappy’s, The Bitter Truth |
| Modern Flavors | Chocolate, coffee, cherry | Fun, new drinks | Bittermens, Woodford Reserve |
Regional Styles are special too! Peychaud’s comes from New Orleans and is key for the Sazerac cocktail. Angostura is from Trinidad and is the most used bitter in the world.
A bar in New York City called Amor y Amargo has over 150 different bitters![^1] That shows how many fun options there are to try!
How to Use Bitters: Beyond the Basics
Using bitters is easy! Here’s how to start:
For Classic Cocktails:
- Put 2 dashes in strong drinks like Old Fashioneds or Manhattans
- Use just 1 dash in lighter drinks like Daiquiris or Martinis
Pro Tip: Start with 1-2 dashes. Too many bitters can make your drink taste bad!
Modern Ways to Use Bitters:
- Add to sparkling water for a no-alcohol drink
- Put a few drops on ice cream
- Add to hot chocolate for extra flavor
- Mix into whipped cream for desserts
Did you know that 78% of home bartenders own at least 2 types of bitters?[^3] Most have an aromatic bitter (like Angostura) and a citrus bitter (like orange).
Top 10 Bitters Brands to Try
Here are the best bitters you can buy:
- Angostura Aromatic: The gold standard for whiskey drinks
- Peychaud’s: Must-have for Sazeracs
- Fee Brothers: Good no-alcohol options (like Aztec Chocolate)
- Scrappy’s: Fancy lavender and cardamom blends
- Bittermens: Complex flavors like Hopped Grapefruit
- The Bitter Truth: Both classic and exotic flavors
- All the Bitter: Small-batch citrus and herb flavors
- Woodford Reserve: Aged in barrels for rich taste
- Bitter Housewife: Fun flavors like Maple
- Underberg: Small bottles for after dinner
When picking bitters, start with Angostura – it’s been around for almost 200 years for a reason![^4]
DIY Bitters: Simple Recipe for Beginners
You can make your own bitters at home! Here’s an easy way to start:
What You Need:
- High-proof vodka (at least 100 proof)
- Dried gentian root (1 tablespoon)
- Orange peel (from 1 orange)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- A clean jar with lid
Steps:
- Put all dry items in the jar
- Pour vodka over everything
- Close jar tight and shake
- Let sit in a dark place for 2 weeks, shaking once a day
- Strain through a coffee filter
- Put in small bottles with droppers
Warning: Some plants can be bad for you. Don’t use too much nutmeg or unknown herbs.
Storage & Shelf Life: Keep Them Fresh
Good news! Bitters last a long time!
- Unopened bottles: Last forever (the alcohol keeps them safe)
- Opened bottles: Best within 2-5 years (they lose about 15% of their smell each year)[^5]
How to store bitters:
- Keep in a cool, dark place
- No need for the fridge
- Make sure caps are on tight
5 Bitters-Forward Cocktail Recipes
Try these easy drinks that show off bitters:
1. Classic Old Fashioned
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
Put sugar cube in glass. Add bitters and crush with spoon. Add ice and bourbon. Stir. Add orange peel.
2. Martinez
- 1.5 oz gin
- 1.5 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Mix all in a glass with ice. Stir well. Strain into a cold glass.
3. Chocolate Negroni
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes chocolate bitters
Mix all with ice. Stir well. Strain over fresh ice. Add orange peel.
4. Lavender Lemonade
- 2 oz vodka
- 3 oz lemonade
- 3 dashes lavender bitters
- Lemon slice
Fill glass with ice. Add all items. Stir. Add lemon slice.
5. No-Alcohol Spritz
- 4 oz soda water
- 4-5 dashes grapefruit bitters
- Mint leaves
- Lime slice
Fill glass with ice. Add soda and bitters. Stir. Top with mint and lime.
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What Makes Bitters Special?
Let’s look at what makes bitters so interesting:
The Science: Bitters contain things called terpenes that give them strong smells.[^2] These are the same compounds found in essential oils. They make the citrus and flower notes in your drink.
The Taste Effect: Adding bitters to a drink is like adding spices to food. They bring all the flavors together and make the drink more balanced.
The History: The most popular bitters have been made the same way for hundreds of years. Angostura still uses the same secret recipe from 1824![^4]
For a perfect drink presentation, consider our custom bar coasters to complete your cocktail experience.
FAQs (Answering Your Questions)
Can I substitute bitters?
Yes! If you don’t have bitters, you can use:
Citrus zest (orange or lemon peel)
A dash of amaro liqueur
A tiny bit of strong tea
Are bitters alcoholic?
Yes. Most bitters are 30-45% alcohol (like vodka or whiskey). But you only use a few drops, so one drink has very little alcohol from bitters.
Is it safe to drink bitters daily?
In small amounts, yes. Stick to 1-2 dashes per drink. Some people take a small amount for stomach upset, but talk to a doctor first.
What are the best bitters for non-alcoholic drinks?
Try Fee Brothers or All the Bitter. They work well in soda water or juice. You can make tasty drinks without alcohol this way.
How many types of bitters should I own?
Start with two: an aromatic bitter (Angostura) and an orange bitter. Then add more as you explore different cocktails.
If you’re looking to stock your home bar, our rubber bar mat will protect your counters while mixing drinks with bitters.
Conclusion: Experiment & Elevate
Bitters are a simple way to make your drinks much better. With over 240 kinds available today,[^1] you can try so many flavors!
Start with the basics:
- Get a bottle of Angostura and orange bitters
- Try them in classic drinks like the Old Fashioned
- Add a few drops to soda water
- Experiment with new recipes
Remember that bitters make drinks taste 40% more complex[^2] – that’s why bartenders love them so much!
Have fun exploring the world of cocktail bitters. Your drinks will never be boring again!
[^1]: Punch Drink: “240+ artisanal bitters brands in the U.S. (2023)” and “Amor y Amargo (NYC bar) offers 150+ bitters exclusively” [^2]: Science Direct: “13 commercial bitters tested; terpenes dominate aroma profiles” and “Bitters increase perceived complexity in cocktails by 40%” [^3]: Bartender Spirits Awards: “63% of bartenders use bitters in ≥3 cocktails per shift” and “78% of home bartenders own ≥2 types of bitters” [^4]: Compound Chem: “Angostura bitters created in 1824; still used in 92% of classic whiskey cocktails”
