What Are Bitters? And Why You Should Use Them…

By Armando Rosario

In the early days, bitters were potions conceived as medicinal elixirs with (theoretical) disease fighting properties. Today, bitters are no longer used to heal diseases, but instead used as a flavor enhancer in cocktails.

Bitters are made of a neutral spirit that is infused with botanicals. These botanicals can be things such as leaves, herbs, roots or fruit. Once a desired flavor combination is created, it is steeped in the high proof alcohol to extract the various flavors and aromas. This results in a highly concentrated product that adds flavor and depth to cocktails.

Bitters should be used to compliment the flavor of cocktails. When determining whether to use a specific bitter, choose a flavor that enhances your drink of choice. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment!