Bitters and soda is a simple yet flavorful option to drink when you aren’t drinking. With the popularity of non-alcoholic co*cktails on the rise, there are more and more people feeling “sober curious”, and taking part in Dry January, Sober October or just curtailing their alcohol consumption in general. While there are an ever increasing number of booze-free beverages out there that mimic the experience of a co*cktail, you can come up with some simple non-alcoholic options from what you already have behind your bar. Bitters and soda is an easy-to-make alternative to drink when you aren’t drinking. Just add a few dashes of co*cktail bitters to your favorite flavor of soda to create an effervescent and flavorful beverage. It is true that most bitters DO contain alcohol (ex. Angostura bitters contain 44.7% alcohol), but they are considered non-potable, their main purpose is to provide flavor. When a few dashes are added to a glass full of soda water or tonic the amount of alcohol in the drink is negligible. It’s hard to put an exact number on it, but someone that did the math themselves speculated the alcohol content in bitters and soda is somewhere under .003% ABV. Most non-alcoholic beers still contain 0.5%. While we definitely can’t say bitters and soda has zero alcohol in it, the amount is so miniscule you probably wouldn’t notice it. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide on your level of comfort with accepting it as a non-alcoholic drink. With all the different varieties of bitters out there, it should be easy for you to find a combination that hits your taste buds just right. Do some experimenting on your own or check out some of our favorite pairings. Soda Water + Aromatic Bitters Tonic Water + Lime Bitters Cola + Aromatic Bitters Ginger Ale + Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters How much alcohol is in bitters & soda?
Bitters & Soda Pairings
Try this with: Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Try this with: Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water & Scrappy’s Lime Bitters
Try this with: Fentimans Curiosity Cola & Scrappy's Aromatic Bitters
Try this with: Fever Tree Premium Ginger Ale & Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
Lemon Lime Soda + Cranberry Bitters
Try this with: Fee Brothers Cranberry Bitters
Grapefruit Soda + Plum Bitters
Try this with: Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
Root Beer + Peychaud’s Bitters
Try this with: Boylan’s Root Beer & Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters
Bolder Bitters & Soda Pairings
Cola + Rhubarb & Lemon Bitters
Try this with: Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters & Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters
Ginger Ale + Celery & Ango Bitters
Try this with: Fever Tree Ginger Ale & Fee Brothers Celery Bitters
Lemon Lime + Chai & Orange Bitters
Try this with: Dashfire Chai'Walla Chai Bitters & Angostura Orange Bitters
Cola + Mint & Chocolate Bitters
Try this with: Fee Brothers Mint Bitters & Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Root Beer + Toasted Almond & Chocolate Bitters
Try this with: Fee Brothers Toasted Almond Bitters
Non-Alcoholic Recipes Using Bitters
For those out there that like their co*cktails a little more complex, we’ve also come up with some delightful non-alcoholic co*cktails that use bitters and soda as their base.
Ginless & Tonic
Yield: 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 2 dashes Bittermens Winter Melon Tart Bitters
- 3 dashes Lime Bitters
- Tonic Water
- Lime Wedge for garnish
Glassware
Tools
Instructions
Fill a highball glass with ice, dash bitters over ice, then top with tonic water. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Calm Collins
Yield: 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 2 dashes Bittermens Winter Melon Tart Bitters
- 3 dashes Lemon Bitters
- Club Soda
- Lemon Wheel and Maraschino cherry for garnish
Glassware
Tools
Instructions
Fill a highball glass with ice, dash bitters over ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Sahara Mule
Yield: 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 3 dashes Aromatic Bitters
- ½ oz fresh Lime Juice
- Ginger Beer
- Mint Sprig and Lime Wedge for garnish
Glassware
Tools
Instructions
Fill a mule mug with ice, pour in lime juice and dash bitters over ice, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Nada Pimm’s Cup
Yield: 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 3 dashes Cardamom Bitters
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- ¾ oz fresh Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz Strawberry Nectar
- Ginger Ale
- Cucumber for garnish
Glassware
Tools
Instructions
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in lemon juice and strawberry nectar. Dash bitters over ice, then top with ginger ale. Garnish with cucumber slices.
Bitters & Soda In A Can
If you want to enjoy bitters and soda away from the bar, but don’t want to take your bitters collection with you, then Hella co*cktail has a solution for you. They’ve created aromatic Bitters & Soda in a can that you can enjoy anywhere. They are made from the same gentian tincture used in Angostura bitters. The Dry Bitters & Soda has a crisp, effervescent flavor while the Spritz Bitters & Soda has a sweetness similar to a Negroni.
Next time you’re at the bar with friends, and you don’t feel like waking up with a hangover, give bitters and soda a try. It’s a great option if you don’t want to advertise that you’re taking a break from drinking.
Dave Buchanan
Dave Buchanan has been the Content Writer for KegWorks since June 2019. He has a fondness for craft beer that developed while working for a local beer distributor. Dave also worked for an area sports talk radio station for several years, and continues his broadcasting work as a motorsports announcer and indoor lacrosse reporter.
As a seasoned enthusiast with extensive knowledge in mixology and non-alcoholic beverages, I've explored and experimented with various concoctions, including the trending realm of non-alcoholic co*cktails. The surge in popularity of non-alcoholic alternatives, particularly during events like Dry January or Sober October, has led to the creation of inventive and flavorful options.
Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the provided article:
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Bitters and Soda Overview:
- Bitters and soda are gaining traction as a simple, flavorful non-alcoholic drink.
- The rise of non-alcoholic co*cktails has led to more people exploring alternatives, and bitters and soda provide a quick solution.
- The concept is to add a few dashes of co*cktail bitters to soda for a tasty, effervescent beverage.
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Alcohol Content in Bitters & Soda:
- While most bitters do contain alcohol, their classification as non-potable signifies that the primary purpose is to provide flavor.
- When added to soda water or tonic, the alcohol content becomes negligible, estimated to be under 0.003% ABV.
- It's emphasized that the amount of alcohol is minuscule, and the decision to consider it a non-alcoholic drink depends on individual comfort levels.
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Bitters & Soda Pairings:
- Various bitters and soda pairings are suggested, showcasing the versatility of this drink.
- Examples include Aromatic Bitters with soda water, Lime Bitters with tonic water, and Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters with ginger ale.
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Bolder Bitters & Soda Pairings:
- More adventurous pairings are presented, such as Rhubarb & Lemon Bitters with cola and Mint & Chocolate Bitters with lemon-lime soda.
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Non-Alcoholic Recipes Using Bitters:
- The article provides recipes for non-alcoholic co*cktails using bitters and soda as a base. Examples include "Ginless & Tonic" and "Calm Collins."
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Bitters & Soda In A Can:
- For on-the-go enjoyment, Hella co*cktail offers pre-mixed aromatic Bitters & Soda in a can, providing a convenient option for those who want to enjoy the drink anywhere.
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Author and Source:
- The article is attributed to Dave Buchanan, the Content Writer for KegWorks since June 2019. His background includes experience in craft beer, sports talk radio, and broadcasting work in motorsports and lacrosse reporting.
In conclusion, bitters and soda emerge as a versatile and creative solution for those exploring non-alcoholic alternatives, offering a range of flavors and pairings to suit individual preferences. The article not only introduces the concept but also provides practical recipes and suggestions for both at-home and on-the-go enjoyment.