What Are Bitters?

Bitters are a key ingredient in many classic cocktails. Learn all about these unique ingredients and start mixing up your own fancy drinks.

Bitters are found in every well-stocked bar, but what the heck are they? Good question.

What are Bitters?

Bitters are high-proof alcohol infused with botanicals from herbs, spices, fruits, barks, and flowers. They aren’t meant to be sipped alone. They’re so concentrated that you probably couldn’t even get it down. Yup, they taste that bad. But a dash or two added to a cocktail? Adds wonderful complexity to a drink.

It’s kind of like how ground cinnamon or vanilla extract tastes pretty bad on their own. But added to any sweet thing, it’s seriously good. Bitters are like that too.

How are Bitters Used?

Bitters were originally made to use as medicinal tonics. Some say the Egyptians in ancient times steeped herbs in wine. That practice continued throughout the ages. The bitters we know today really came into use in the early 1800s, and were then used as digestive aids.

Later bitters became a staple in cocktails — think Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Champagne cocktails.

Prohibition almost wiped out the industry. Only Angostura and Peychaud’s survived. But bitters fell out of vogue even after Prohibition. They were used only rarely and in some pretty uncommon and untrendy drinks. Now, there are all kinds of fantastic bitters that you can use to expand the flavor profiles of your drinks.

Most Popular Types of Bitters

The two most commonly used cocktail bitters have been around since the 1800s — Peychaud’s and Angostura. 

Peychaud’s Bitters

Peychaud’s adds a sweet hint to drinks, with notes of anise and mint. It’s an essential ingredient for the Sazerac, a strong cognac or whiskey cocktail. 

Angostura Bitters

Angostura Aromatic Bitters have warm hints of cinnamon, cardamon, and nutmeg. It’s most popular in Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. 

Angostura also gives Champagne cocktails a deeper flavor and a beautiful golden color. You only need a drop or two to get amazing flavors. Find out how to use bitters in a Classic Champagne Cocktail.

Orange Bitters

Orange bitters has a complex citrus and spice flavor with the bitterness of orange zest. Try it in gin and vodka cocktails, like a classic dry martini.

More Bitters

Bitters are now back in vogue, and you can find all different flavors — orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, chocolate bitters, black pepper, cherry, root beer, apple, and celery (here’s a set of 6 different intriguing flavors to try out). 

These days you can throw a dash of grapefruit bitters into a margarita. Or sip a martini with black pepper bitters. Experiment with your cocktail recipes and have fun!

This post originally appeared in December 2015 and was revised and republished in August 2023.