What are bitters and how do they improve your mixed drink? You’ve seen bartenders use them, and you know classic drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan require them. But the main questions remain: how do you use bitters and why do they matter?
So What Are They?
Bitters are typically a dark liquid that comes in small bottles with dropper tops. Most are nearly 50 percent alcohol and are designed with several botanical ingredients including herbs, leaves, seeds, bark, flowers, bark and fruit. And you guessed it: they are bitter, sour and highly concentrated in flavor.
What’s The History?
Back then, bitters were first used for in the medical field to help ease stomach aches, however, they are now mostly used to make delicious co*cktails. They can bring new life to a drink by enhancing the unique flavors of a co*cktail, and by adding an aromatic layer to the drinking experience. Before Prohibition in the 1920s and ‘30s, bitters were used in nearly all co*cktails, but with the legalization of alcohol, the bitters industry was thrown into turmoil. Only large companies like Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters were able to thrive just enough to make it through the 13-year dry spell; all other brands disappeared.
Why should I Use Bitters?
Well, it’s kind of like looking at a spice rack and thinking to yourself, “Why should I use these spices on chicken or in my soup?” Like spices make food better, bitters make drinks better. It can balance to the flavor of your spirit or co*cktail. Try a “before and after” on a classic like the Old Fashioned, one with bitters and another without. This will give you a clear understanding of how bitters make a difference. Remember to add a few drops on a new recipe, too, just for kicks.
How To Use Bitters In co*cktails
Here’s a good question: Do I add bitters before or after a drink is stirred or shaken? The answer: Yes, add bitters before you begin the shaking or stirring process. However, there are exceptions. For example, you can add bitters by misting the top of the drink for aromatics or when decorating the foamy egg whites of a co*cktail.
What Are The Most Popular Drinks For Bitters
Although there is a surplus of recipes that call for bitters, a handful of drinks have stood the test of time and have become well-known staples at bars across the globe. These timeless drinks include the Pink Gin, Sazerac, Pisco Sour, the Sawyer, Old Fashioned, Manhattan and the Singapore Sling. These drinks are great places to start when first crafting your bitters skills.
There Are Tons of Bitter Flavors Now
As bitters become more and more popular, new companies have begun developing them in nearly every flavor you can think of. There are celery flavored bitters for Bloody Marys, cherry bitters for bourbon, spicy bitters for aged liquors, and even Palo Santo wood (normally used for incense) which gives off smoke, spice, wood, and vanilla flavors. We recommend trying 2019 Double Gold winner Carthusian Bitters by Ghost Coast Distillery, made with tens of botanical for the perfect herbal bouquet.
So there you have it, the beginner’s guide to bitters. Cheers!
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FAQs
They are mostly used to add depth and complexity to co*cktails, enhancing the overall flavor profile and creating a more well-rounded drink. There are countless varieties of bitters available, with their purpose ranging from digestive aids to flavoring agents used in sauces, marinades, and dressings.
What are bitters and how to use them? ›
Think of bitters like salt and pepper for a co*cktail: a sprinkle of seasoning that balances out the flavors of a dish. “Bitters are a wonderful way to augment the flavor profile of a drink,” says Lauren Mote, an award-winning mixologist and co-founder of Bittered Sling Bitters.
What else can I use bitters for? ›
5 Ways to Use Bitters Beyond Your co*cktails
- Swap them in for extracts in baked goods. Push aside the vanilla extract in favor of bitters to give your baked goods a surprising twist. ...
- Toss them with popcorn. ...
- Shake them into lemonade or juice. ...
- Infuse honey and maple syrup. ...
- Add them to poaching liquid for fruit.
Just because you're "not supposed to" drink bitters straight doesn't mean you can't. It might not taste great, but it'll get the job done.
What does taking bitters do? ›
Bitters help to stimulate digestive juices and enzymes and can also help to relax smooth muscle that lines the digestive tract to help relieve cramping. In addition, bitters might lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release and use of insulin and taming sugar cravings.
Do bitters need to be refrigerated? ›
On average, bitters last around 5 years.
However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent. So, feel free to leave it on your bar cart or in your liquor storage cabinets without having to worry.
Do bitters cleanse the liver? ›
Bitters give the liver a boost by aiding in the elimination of toxins and detoxification, coordinating the metabolism of sugar and fats, and helping release gallbladder-supporting hormones like cholecystokinin (CCK).
Who should avoid bitters? ›
People who are pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn't take bitters. They also shouldn't be given to children as they often are infused in alcohol. People who have gastrointestinal disease shouldn't take bitters as they might irritate your digestive system.
Can bitters give you a buzz? ›
Bitters are concentrated alcohol which means they often have quite a high ABV of 20% – 40% or more, so technically, you can get drunk on bitters but this is neither the main purpose nor the desire for many.
Why are bitters legal to buy? ›
Bitters are technically alcoholic, and they're usually between 35% to 45% ABV. Because they're sold in such small bottles and their flavor is so strong, most recipes call for just a dash or a few drops, making its overall alcohol contribution negligible, and why you don't need to be 21 or older to buy them.
Bitter foods are generally recognized as anti-inflammatory agents in traditional Chinese medicine.
Is bitters good for your gut? ›
The reason why people take digestive bitters is to aid their digestion and help mitigate symptoms of indigestion. A 2021 review of studies in Nutrients found that bitters can help with regulating hormones related to gut health and can increase gut motility (i.e., how foods move through our digestive system).
Can bitters go bad? ›
Technically, bitters last indefinitely. Their taste may change over time — for example, five years or more — especially if they've been opened. But as a shelf stable product that is typically 70-90 proof alcohol, they can be stored in your bar, rather than in the refrigerator.
Is bitters legal to buy under 21? ›
Bitters are technically alcoholic, and they're usually between 35% to 45% ABV. Because they're sold in such small bottles and their flavor is so strong, most recipes call for just a dash or a few drops, making its overall alcohol contribution negligible, and why you don't need to be 21 or older to buy them.
How are bitters legal? ›
co*cktail bitters are regulated as food ingredients by the US Food and Drug Administrative (FDA). Common co*cktail bitters, like almond bitters, are considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), in which case no additional approval is required.
What are bitters supposed to taste like? ›
Bitters have sharp, pungent flavors that are made from base spirits infused with herbs, fruits, spices, roots, tree bark or other botanicals that typically come in small glass bottles with a dropper.
How do you use bitters in cooking? ›
Other sweet uses include adding bitters to whipped cream, pie fillings and custard bases for ice cream just before churning. On the savory side, they can be added to salad dressings, sauces, soups and stews.
