Bitters: what they are and which bottle to buy

Bitters are concentrated, high-proof flavoring made from botanicals such as bark, roots, peel and spices. You add them a dash at a time to cocktails, and a small bottle lasts a long while. You can browse the full range on our bitters page, and the rest of this guide explains which bottle does what.

What are bitters, exactly?

Bitters are a flavoring, not a drink you pour by the glass. A maker steeps bitter and aromatic botanicals in high-proof alcohol, then bottles the result. Gentian root, cinchona bark, citrus peel, cinnamon, clove and cardamom are common ingredients, though every maker keeps its own recipe.

The bottle is small because the liquid is strong. A dash is a quick shake from the bottle, and that is often enough to change a whole drink. Bitters do for a cocktail what salt does for a meal: they don't add a flavor of their own so much as pull the other flavors into balance.

They are used in drops, not measured in ounces, and that is why a single bottle can last through many drinks at home.

Which bitters should you buy first?

If you buy only one bottle, make it Angostura Aromatic Bitter. Its spiced, slightly herbal profile is what most classic recipes mean when they just say "bitters". It goes into whiskey drinks, rum drinks and plenty of others, so it never sits unused.

Your second bottle depends on what you drink. If you lean toward citrus and gin, orange bitters is the natural pick. If you make drinks with New Orleans roots, you want a different style, covered below.

Start with one bottle and learn what a dash does before you collect more. Most home bars only need three or four bottles to cover nearly everything.

What do orange bitters do in a drink?

Orange bitters bring bright citrus peel and a gentle bitterness without making the drink taste like orange juice. They are a classic partner for gin, where they sharpen the botanical flavors and add a dry, zesty edge.

A bottle like Fee Brothers Orange Bitters works in a dry martini, in a gin and tonic if you want something a little more layered, and in whiskey drinks where you'd like a lighter citrus note than aromatic bitters gives. If you are building drinks around gin, this is the bottle to reach for.

Two or three dashes is a sensible place to begin. Taste, then adjust the next drink, not the one in your hand.

What are Peychaud's bitters used for?

Peychaud's Bitters come from New Orleans and taste lighter and more floral than aromatic bitters, with a distinct anise note and a reddish color. They are the traditional ingredient in a Sazerac, the New Orleans cocktail built on rye whiskey or cognac, a sugar cube, and a rinse of absinthe.

If you want to try one, pick up a bottle of rye, add a few dashes of Peychaud's and a little sugar, and stir over ice. The result is dry, spicy and fragrant.

Peychaud's also works in a Manhattan alongside aromatic bitters, which is a good way to see how the two differ. Using both in one drink is common practice, not a mistake.

Which bitters go in an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned is the simplest answer to why bitters matter. It is whiskey, a little sugar and bitters, stirred over ice, and the bitters are what stop it from tasting like sweetened whiskey. Aromatic bitters is the standard choice.

Bourbon is the usual base. If you are shopping for one, our bourbon section is the place to look. A couple of dashes of aromatic bitters, a sugar cube or a small spoon of simple syrup, a splash of water and a twist of orange peel is all the recipe needs.

Once you have the basic version down, change one thing at a time. Swap in orange bitters for one dash, or try a chocolate bitters for a richer finish. Small changes teach you what each bottle does.

Can bitters go with chocolate and coffee flavors?

Yes, and this is where bitters get fun. Chocolate bitters add a dry, cocoa-forward note that suits dark spirits, coffee drinks and anything with a toasted or roasted character. Angostura Cocoa Bitters lean toward cocoa and spice, while Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters bring chocolate with a hint of warm spice.

Try a dash in an Old Fashioned built on aged rum or bourbon, or in a coffee-based cocktail. Because the bitterness is dry and not sweet, the result tastes deeper, not like dessert.

These are the bottles to add once you are comfortable with the basics, and they make a good gift for anyone who already has a home bar.

What is the difference between bitters and amaro?

People often mix these up because both taste bitter. Cocktail bitters are used by the dash. Amaro is an Italian bitter liqueur that you pour in measured amounts, sip on its own over ice, or use as a main ingredient in a cocktail.

Nonino Riserva Amaro is an example of the second kind. It sits in the wider liqueur family, which is a good place to browse if you want to explore bitter, herbal drinks beyond cocktail bitters.

In short, bitters season a drink and amaro is a drink. If a recipe calls for a dash, you want bitters. If it calls for an ounce, you want a liqueur.

How do you store and use a bottle of bitters?

Keep bitters in a cool, dark spot with the cap on, and they will hold their flavor for a long time. Because they are high in alcohol, they don't spoil the way a juice or a mixer would. Most bottles have a dasher top, so you can shake out a measured amount without pouring too much.

A good habit is to shake the bottle into a spoon or the back of your hand first if you are new to it, so you can see how much comes out. Then add to the glass. Bitters are easy to overdo and impossible to take back.

If you are setting up a home bar, pair your bitters with a bottle of whiskey, a spirit you enjoy, and a few mixers such as soda or tonic.

Where can you buy bitters in Westford?

CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours.

If you would rather not drive, we also offer delivery, with delivery hours of 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM on Sunday, 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday. We deliver to nearby towns including Chelmsford, Acton and Lowell, and we offer shipping too.

Planning a get-together? Our party planner can help you work out what to put on the bar. Our customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 from 339 Google reviews.