Bitters are small but potent ingredients in the realm of mixology, wielding the power to transform a cocktail's flavor profile with just a few drops. These concentrated spirits, infused with a variety of botanicals including herbs, spices, roots, and fruits, have been a cornerstone of cocktail culture for centuries. Let's dive deeper into the world of bitters to understand their significance, types, uses, and even their potential health benefits.

What are Cocktail Bitters?

Consider cocktail bitters as the finishing touch, the subtle yet transformative element that elevates a drink from ordinary to exceptional. Much like the final sprinkle of herbs or spices in a culinary masterpiece, bitters add depth and nuance to libations, enhancing their flavor profile with each carefully measured dash. Whether it's the rich, earthy notes of chocolate bitters or the tangy tartness of lime bitters, each variety offers a unique sensory experience, amplifying the character of the drink it graces. Imagine a mild gin cocktail brought to life with a hint of lavender or grapefruit, invigorating the palate with a burst of freshness. Picture a bourbon-based concoction enriched by chocolate's velvety richness or cardamom's warmth, accentuating its robust flavors. Bitters, essentially concentrated flavor extracts crafted from a symphony of herbs, spices, and botanicals steeped in alcohol, serve as the secret ingredient behind the bar's most captivating creations. They add complexity and depth to drinks by balancing flavors, enhancing aromas, and providing a nuanced bitterness. While the exact composition varies, common ingredients in bitters include orange peel, gentian root, cassia bark, and cinchona bark. Understanding the diverse array of bitters and their applications is essential for any aspiring mixologist seeking to craft cocktails that captivate the senses and leave a lasting impression.

What Are Digestive Bitters?

Digestive bitters, also known as digestifs, help patrons digest their meals. Digestifs are popular in Europe but lack prominence in North America. Digestive bitters are sipped straight or on the rocks and are usually served as an after-dinner drink. Aperitifs are another variety of digestives, but they’re served before meals.

Brand of Digestive Bitters

Some of the most famous digestive bitters brands include:

• Amaro
• Campari
• Aperol
• Jagermeister
• Unicum

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Cocktail Bitters by Category

Cocktail Bitters come in various types, each offering a unique flavor profile. Here are some of the most popular categories:

What are Angostura Bitters?

Angostura bitters, originating from Trinidad and Tobago, are renowned for their bitter and spicy taste, with hints of clove and cinnamon. These bitters were first introduced in the 1820s as a medicinal tonic and have since become a staple in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

What are Peychaud’s Bitters?

Peychaud’s bitters are famous for their inclusion in the Sazerac cocktail, the official drink of New Orleans. Invented in the 1830s by a New Orleans apothecary named Antoine Peychaud, these bitters offer a sweeter flavor profile compared to Angostura, with notes of anise and mint.

What are Orange Bitters?

Orange bitters are made from orange peel and were first introduced in the 1860s. They provide a distinct citrusy flavor along with hints of cardamom, coriander, and cinnamon. While they fell out of favor for a period, orange bitters have made a comeback in recent years, particularly Scrappy's Bitters.

Other Types of Bitters

Beyond the well-known Angostura, Peychaud’s, and orange bitters, there is a wide range of other flavors available.

How to Use Bitters

Bitters are versatile ingredients that can be used in various ways:

How Bitters are Made

Bitters are crafted by infusing a neutral alcohol base with a blend of aromatic spices, herbs, fruits, roots, and botanical ingredients. This infusion process extracts the flavors from the botanicals, resulting in a concentrated liquid that packs a punch in small doses.

Are Cocktail Bitters Bitter?

While bitters are indeed bitter when tasted on their own, the small amount used in cocktails doesn't necessarily make the drink taste bitter. Instead, bitters help balance the flavors of a cocktail, enhancing sweetness and acidity while adding depth and complexity. 

What Cocktails Use Bitters?

Many classic cocktails rely on bitters to achieve their signature taste. Examples include the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Sazerac. Bitters can also be added to highballs like soda water or mixed with other spirits to create unique flavor combinations.

Bitters and Soda

A simple and refreshing way to enjoy bitters is by mixing them with soda water, creating a non-alcoholic beverage known as "bitters and soda." This drink highlights the flavor of the bitters while quenching thirst and providing a hint of effervescence.

Uncommon Uses for Bitters

In addition to cocktails, bitters can be used in various other drinks and even culinary applications. Adding bitters to beer, coffee, tea, or lemonade can enhance their flavor profiles. Bitters can also be incorporated into marinades, sauces, and vinaigrettes to add depth to savory dishes.

How Do You Measure Bitters?

Bitters are typically measured in "dashes," with one dash equivalent to roughly 0.6 to 1 milliliter of liquid. While the exact amount may vary depending on factors like bottle size and pour technique, one to two dashes are commonly used in most cocktail recipes.

Where to Find Bitters

Bitters are widely available at liquor stores, specialty food stores, and online retailers. They come in small bottles and are relatively affordable, making them accessible to both amateur and professional bartenders alike. Additionally, many cocktail supply stores carry a diverse selection of bitters flavors to suit different preferences.

How Much is a Dash of Bitters?

One dash of bitters is approximately between 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon. While it may seem like a small amount, bitters are highly concentrated, so even a few dashes can significantly impact the flavor of a drink.

How Much Alcohol is in Bitters?

Most bitters have an alcohol content ranging from 35% to 45% ABV (alcohol by volume). However, the small quantity used in cocktails means that the alcohol they contribute to a drink is minimal and often considered negligible.

Are There Any Bitters Substitutes?

In a pinch, herbal bitter liqueurs like Campari, absinthe, or Fernet-Branca can be used as substitutes for cocktail bitters in drinks. While they may not replicate the exact flavor profile of traditional bitters, they can provide similar bitterness and complexity to a cocktail.

Best Bitters Drink Recipes

From classic cocktails to modern creations, bitters play a crucial role in numerous drink recipes. Whether you're crafting an Old Fashioned, a Negroni, or an innovative cocktail of your own invention, experimenting with different bitters flavors can elevate your drink to new heights of flavor complexity and balance.

Using Bitters in Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Bitters can also be incorporated into non-alcoholic drinks for added flavor and complexity. While traditional bitters contain alcohol, non-alcoholic versions are available for those who prefer to avoid alcohol entirely. These non-alcoholic bitters offer similar flavor profiles without the intoxicating effects.

Introduction to Non-Alcoholic Bitters

Non-alcoholic bitters provide the same flavor-enhancing properties as their alcoholic counterparts without the presence of alcohol. They are crafted using botanical extracts and other flavoring agents to mimic the taste of traditional bitters while remaining suitable for non-alcoholic beverages.

Are Bitters Alcoholic?

Most cocktail bitters, including ours, are crafted with an alcohol base, usually ranging from 35% to 45% alcohol content. However, since bitters are typically used sparingly in dashes or drops, their alcohol content per serving is minimal, making it difficult to precisely gauge the ABV. Consequently, they're often labeled as non-alcoholic despite their alcohol base.

Can Bitters Get You Drunk?

The short answer here is that yes, bitters can eventually get you drunk, but you’d probably be sick first. Bitters are 44 percent alcohol, but you’d have to drink a good amount of them to actually feel a buzz. While bitters are great as a cocktail enhancer, they shouldn’t be something you consume on their own.

Are Bitters Good For You?

Bitters have a long history of use as digestive aids and are believed to offer several potential health benefits. Let's explore the differences between digestive bitters and cocktail bitters, as well as their respective health implications.

Do Bitters Go Bad?
Bitters generally do not come with an expiration date. Thanks to their high alcohol content, most bitters can last as long as any other spirit: essentially forever.

Do Bitters Need to be Refrigerated?
No. Because of their high-alcohol content it’s not necessary to refrigerate the bitters

Introduction to Health Benefits of Bitters

Bitters have been traditionally used as digestive aids, stimulating the production of digestive juices and enzymes to promote healthy digestion. They are often consumed before or after meals to alleviate symptoms like bloating, indigestion, and heartburn.

Digestive Bitters vs. Cocktail Bitters

While both digestive bitters and cocktail bitters contain botanical extracts, they serve different purposes and have distinct compositions. Digestive bitters are formulated specifically to support digestion and are often consumed as herbal supplements or tonics. Cocktail bitters, on the other hand, are primarily used to flavor cocktails and contain higher concentrations of alcohol and flavoring agents.

From classic cocktails to innovative culinary creations, bitters are versatile ingredients that add depth, complexity, and balance to a wide range of drinks and dishes. Whether you're crafting a timeless cocktail or experimenting with new flavor combinations, bitters are sure to elevate your libations to new heights of flavor sophistication.

Are Bitters Gluten Free?
Scrappy’s Bitters products are all 100% gluten free
Our food grade ethyl alcohol is derived from a mix of neutral grains, but is Gluten Free.
The alcohol is derived from neutral grains, as with most ethyl alcohol, but through the distillation all gluten is removed. Our caramel is house-made 100% organic caramel, which is made simply by slowly burning sugar.  We process no other products in our facility.

Should Pregnant Women Avoid Bitters?

There is limited scientific research specifically focusing on the safety of bitters during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Therefore, it is challenging to draw definitive conclusions about their impact on pregnant moms. It is recommended you check with your doctor when in doubt about any food or beverage.