If you’ve only browsed a few of the cocktail recipes on this site, you’ll notice that more than a few of them call for some sort of bitters. If you use our cocktail recipe search engine, you’ll also see that there are lots of different styles of bitters to choose from (and we’ll be the first to admit that that’s a short list!).
So it’s obvious that bitters comes in different varieties. It’s not just “bitter.” Common types of bitters, beyond Angostura Bitters, include orange bitters, Peychaud’s Bitters, and chocolate bitters. These all add different flavours and elements to a cocktail.
But you’re typically only adding a dash or two of bitters. Surely they can’t be doing that much? Well, let’s explore what bitters are and what they do in a cocktail recipe.
Firstly, What Are Bitters?
To make bitters, herbs, spices, and more are infused into alcohol. While bitters itself has a pretty high percentage of alcohol by volume, little of it is used and typically doesn’t really contribute to the alcohol content of a drink (although people who need to avoid all alcohol shouldn’t consume bitters). While it’s more complicated than just chucking some stuff into alcohol, that’s pretty much the basics of creating bitters. Mix a neutral alcohol with herbs, spices, fruit, or whatever tickles your fancy, strain out the solid bits, and you have bitters!
Because of this, bitters don’t have to be bitter. They take on whatever flavour is infused. An orange bitters is pretty obviously orange (although most bitters makers will also use other ingredients), but something like Angostura Bitters uses various herbs, spices, and even roots to create its distinct taste.
In this way, bitters act as the salt and other seasoning aspects to a cocktail. Sure, the cocktail tastes great on its own, but it tastes a lot better when properly seasoned. Just like with food.
Bitters Add Extra Flavours To Cocktails… And More
Bitters add extra flavours to cocktails (and other drinks) in a few ways.
Firstly, bitters tend to have a much more intense flavour than other ingredients. This is why only a little bit are used. Bitters go a long way! All the ingredients in bitters are infused and concentrated, so that’s why only a dash or two is needed.
Because bitters are able to add additional flavour to cocktails, they can be used to change or add the profile of a cocktail without adding too much more liquid or alcohol in the form of an additional liqueur. And since bitters generally have a wide and more complex flavour profile, they add a whole lot more than what an additional spirit would ever do.
Beyond just the added flavour elements, bitters somehow have a way of bringing everything together. A good cocktail is often about balance, and sometimes a little bit of bitters creates that balance; maybe a bit more sweetness is needed, or maybe the cocktail needs to have more earth tones to it, there’s a bitters for everything. And somehow, much like with salt, bitters just enhances all the other flavours in a cocktail.
So beyond just adding new flavours to a cocktail, bitters can often act as a backbone that the cocktail is built around. But just remember to use your bitters wisely. Bitters have intense flavours, so it can be easy to add too much.
Our Favourite Cocktails That Use Bitters
Bitters are used in tons of different cocktail recipes, but of course we have our favourites! If you’re looking to get started with some cocktails that feature great bitters, check out these recipes.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is an extremely easy cocktail to make and is just a mixture of bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura Bitters. This is a great cocktail to start with if you want to see what bitters do. Try your bourbon on its own first, then see what the bitters does! You’ll find something different and more enhanced just with this simple addition.
See what Angostura Bitters does to different bourbons, or even different whiskeys. You’ll be pleased
Sazerac
The Sazerac is a great classic cocktail that features both Peychaud’s and Angostura Bitters. If you’re looking to start a bitters collection, starting with these two is the way to go.
The Sazerac is a bit of an extension on the Old Fashioned, so if you liked the first cocktail on this list, you’ll probably enjoy a Sazerac as well.
Peychaud’s Bitters and Angostura Bitters are both fairly herbal, but the Peychaud’s Bitters is a bit sweeter and overall just different. Here you’ll find an appreciation for the different bitters varieties.
Manhattan
Another very simple cocktail recipe! We’re staying simple with this list so the flavour of the bitters don’t get lost in all the other ingredients.
The Manhattan uses both Angostura Bitters and orange bitters. While it’s only a dash of orange bitters, you’ll really be able able to taste the orange flavour coming through in the cocktail, and it really adds a lot.
You can make a Manhattan without orange bitters, but you’ll also notice that it’s really missing something. Enjoy!
Tootsie Roll
The Tootsie Roll is a whole lot of fun. This recipe uses an ample amount of chocolate bitters to add plenty of chocolate flavour (obviously) along with other notes and plenty of depth. Other than the types of bitters already mentioned here, chocolate bitters is another good one to have on your shelf.
Making the Tootsie Roll is also a good excuse to start buying sherry.
Whiskey Sour
The final cocktail on this list is the Whiskey Sour. It’s a pretty famous cocktail recipe but, unlike the other cocktail recipes here, you’ll notice that the bitters is usually sprinkled on top. This is a great way to more directly experience the aroma that bitters impart on a cocktail.
It’s also a great cocktail in general, so go ahead and make one.
And That’s Bitters
Bitters are a wonderful addition to almost any cocktail. As mentioned though, use bitters sparingly. Bitters have highly concentrated flavour, so adding just a little bit gives quite a bit to the cocktail. Make the recipes listed above and see what they do. From there, experiment a little bit and see what works for you.
