Bitter · Herbal

Bitters

Bitters|Bitters|45% ABV|Global bar tradition, Global

Bitters are essential cocktail seasoning agents that add complexity depth and aromatic balance to classic and modern recipes

Bitters bring layered herbal spice and bitter aromatic notes that help balance sweetness and highlight base spirit character in cocktails

Flavor Profile

Sweetness

Low

Bitterness

High

Acidity

Low

Body

Light

Taste

BitterSpiceAromatic

Aroma

CloveCinnamonGentianCitrus Peel

Texture

Light

Known For

Classic Cocktails

Old FashionedManhattanChampagne Cocktail

Modern Cocktails

Modern HighballsCraft Sours

Signature Serves

Seasoned Classic Serves

Pairings

Pairs Well With

WhiskeyGinRum

Recommended With

Orange PeelSugar Vermouth

Avoid Pairing With

None

Substitutes

Substitute With

Aromatic BittersOrange Bitters

Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

Non Alcoholic Bitters

style varies by botanical profile and brand

Serving Tips

Use only a few dashes to avoid overpowering flavor

Storage Tips

Store upright in a cool dark place

Buying Tips

Choose aromatic bitters as a foundational bar ingredient for most classic recipes

Mix it into something

Cocktails made with Bitters

Fizzy | Bitter

Bitter Burro

Bitters and ginger extend rum into a sharper sparkling highball that balances citrus brightness with aromatic depth

Straight Up | Citrus | Sour

Scotch Sour

Citrus-forward variation of the classic Whiskey Sour made with Scotch whisky, offering a smoother, more aromatic profile with subtle smoky depth.

Straight Up | Dry

Sazerac

Absinthe rinse and Peychaud’s bitters sharpen rye whiskey into one of the oldest surviving spirit-forward cocktail templates in American bar history

Fizzy | Bitter

Bitter Burro

Bitters and ginger extend rum into a sharper sparkling highball that balances citrus brightness with aromatic depth

Straight Up | Citrus | Sour

Scotch Sour

Citrus-forward variation of the classic Whiskey Sour made with Scotch whisky, offering a smoother, more aromatic profile with subtle smoky depth.

Straight Up | Dry

Sazerac

Absinthe rinse and Peychaud’s bitters sharpen rye whiskey into one of the oldest surviving spirit-forward cocktail templates in American bar history

View all 4 cocktails

About Bitters

What Does Bitters Taste Like?

Intensely aromatic bitter and spiced with complex herbal depth

How It Is Made

Produced by macerating herbs spices roots and citrus peels in high proof alcohol then filtered and aged for flavor development

How To Use Bitters in Cocktails

Use in small dashes to season cocktails and enhance aromatic structure

Best For

Classic stirred cocktails sours and aromatic highballs

A Bit of History

Bitters have been used since the nineteenth century as essential cocktail aromatic seasoning components in classic mixology