Do Bitters Have Alcohol? (Complete Guide)
Bitters are the secret ingredient in many cocktail recipes — but just how boozy are they?
Do bitters have alcohol? Yes, contrary to popular belief, bitters are made from alcohol and can contain an ABV of up to 35%–45%. But since they are used in extremely small quantities (drops or dashes), they don’t add to the total ABV of any beverage, which is why they are usually marketed as non-alcoholic.
Read below to learn more about bitters, how they are made, their history, and how they are used!
All About Bitters
Bitters are the defining ingredient in any good cocktail recipe — so much so that many people believe that a cocktail can only be called a cocktail if it has a splash of bitters!
The reason why bitters are so beloved in mixology is that they act as a balancing ingredient that not only ties together all the notes in the cocktail, but also acts as a flavor enhancer that brings out the full range of flavors in any drink.
Think of bitters as the salt and pepper, or MSG of the beverage world!
The story of bitters goes back to 1824 when these flavor-enhancing mixtures had nothing to do with boozy beverages.
Invented by a German army surgeon by the name of Dr. Johann Siegert, bitters were targeted to help relieve digestive issues among the infantry. But its use was later realized to be much… broad.
The first batch of bitters was created using a mixture of aromatics, herbs, barks, spices, roots, and botanicals that were infused in a high-proof spirit.
The resulting concoction was so well-received and acclaimed for its alleged medicinal properties that Dr. Seigert eventually started to create bitters in bulk, leading to what is now known as Angostura Bitters.
This was coincidentally also the birth of the now-famous and ubiquitous bitter brand, Angostura Bitters. The brand name is based on the city where these bitters were first created, Angostura, Venezuela (now called Ciudad Bolívar).
The Marriage Of Bitters And Alcohol
Since bitters were marketed as a medicinal product, they had very limited use, especially when it came to foods and beverages. But fortunately, this soon changed after Dr. Seigert passed on his business to his sons.
Sometime around the 1870s, one of the sons of Dr. Seigert, Don Carlos, discovered that the complex flavor of his father’s original bitter paired extremely well with food — especially beverages!
He noticed that adding a small amount of the bitters to a cocktail significantly enhanced its overall flavor profile.
This effect was even more significant in sugary alcoholic beverages, which were able to provide a much fuller and more precise flavor after the addition of bitters.
With this discovery, the focus of bitters was quickly moved beyond its medicinal use and the company realigned its vision to a broader scope — they even started to experiment with more ingredients to come up with a range of flavored bitters!
Today, bitters are an extremely common and integral part of many cocktails — and every bar will have an arsenal of bitters to add and extract as much flavor from beverages as possible!
Characteristics Of Bitters
Here are a few important characteristics of a typical bottle of bitters.
Flavor
Even though one might think that “bitters” would majorly have a bitter flavor, they are actually quite complex!
Yes, a signature quality of a high-quality bitter is its bitterness, but there is so much more that this mixture can provide thanks to its infusion of botanicals, herbs, and spices!
Most bitters are specifically formulated to stimulate the full range of taste receptors on your tongue, which can also make it hard to describe their exact flavor.
But you can expect a complexly earthy, nutty, spicy, and even sweet flavor with a layer of light bitterness that adds to the overall flavor profile of the beverage.
The original Angostura Bitters is made of only 5 ingredients — but even then, it’s more than enough to add a lip-smacking flavor to any type of cocktail! Several other types of bitters leverage fruity and aromatic notes too.
For example, in the case of a delicious Old Fashioned, you can add a splash of Angostura Aromatic Bitters or Angostura Orange Bitters to truly uplift the cocktail.
Likewise, there are even bitters that make use of coffee flavors — and you can find an array of different-tasting bitters that all offer a profound flavor; all with just a few drops!
Texture
Since the base of any bitter is a high-proof spirit, you can expect it to have a smooth texture. The ingredients do not affect the viscosity of the bitters, nor do bitters affect the texture of the cocktails they are added to.
They are only designed to affect and enhance the flavor (and color) of a beverage and will have more or less no effect otherwise.
Color
In the context of color, bitters can play a vital role, especially in lighter-colored drinks.
See, bitters are usually flavored and colored using natural ingredients instead of typical food color!
For example, some bitters might contain butterfly pea flowers or dried beets to add a beautiful shade to them.
Since bitters are added on top as a garnish, you will also have the opportunity to add a splash of interesting colors (and of course, flavor) to your cocktails!
Some cocktails, like a lighter-colored gin cocktail, will benefit a lot visually and flavorwise from just a few drops of dark-colored bitters.
For people who want more color as well as flavor, you can try adding splashes of Orange Angostura Bitters in a darker drink, like a Manhattan.
Uses
The use of bitters in traditional mixology is quite self-explanatory, but you would be surprised by just how versatile this ingredient can be in the culinary world. Bitters are an indispensable ingredient in many types of recipes!
For example, they can be added to sauces to give them a highly complex flavor — and you shouldn’t be worried about adding booze to food since a few drops or dashes will hardly be sufficient to intoxicate anyone.
You can even add bitters to salad dressings to give them an entirely new and interesting layer of flavor. Similarly, fruitier bitters can be used on top of desserts like whipped cream, juices, smoothies, and more.
We encourage you to experiment with bitters in food to see how you can leverage their complex flavor and bring out the best in your recipes.
Just be careful about how much you add to your food since adding a lot can just as easily throw off the balance of flavors!
Using Drops Vs Splashes Of Bitters
When it comes to bitters, less is more!
On their own, bitters will always present with a sharp and highly bitter flavor with woodsy, earthy, and other notes (depending on the ingredients).
This is why it is always advised that you first taste the bitters or use tried-and-tested bitters to make your favorite drinks.
A common mistake that many inexperienced bartenders make is that they add too much bitters to a drink that would otherwise only require just a few drops.
In many cases, over-pouring is also common, especially when you are going for a splash instead of precise drops — trust us, this is the most repeated mistake among mixologists.
Taking a sample of bitters in a dropper and then carefully adding the mixture over a drink is fairly easy — but you can easily mess up the balance of a drink when you are required to add a splash of bitters!
For example, a Manhattan usually requires a splash of Angostura Bitters and a few drops of orange bitters.
To pour a balanced splash, you will need to swing the bottle in a pendulum motion and then invert it over the glass while giving it a light nudge to release an appropriate splash.
DO NOT just turn over the bottle over the drink or you might end up adding more than you would like!
The swinging motion is what most bartenders use to add splashes since it is the most efficient way to get a calculated quantity of bitters into the glass.
How To Make Bitters At Home
That’s right, you don’t have to rely on store-bought bitters! Making bitters at home is incredibly easy and we encourage you to try to make your own batches since this will give you complete control over the flavor of your cocktails.
There are three components that you will need to keep in mind when making a good bitters:
- Base And Liquids. A neutral spirit (high-proof vodka will also work) with water for dilution.
- Flavorings. A selection of herbs, fruits, and botanicals.
- Color. Any choice of herb-based colorants.
Here is a fantastic recipe to make a great-tasting bitter following the components above!
This recipe will give you sweet, woodsy, nutty, earthy, and bitter flavors that will perfectly complement a range of cocktails and even standalone drinks!
Just remember: as long as you make the bitters according to the components listed above, you will almost always end up creating an interesting mixture!
Ingredients
Spirits And Liquids:
- 200 ml neutral spirit (vodka, Everclear)
- 50 ml water
Flavorings:
- ¼ tsp gentian root
- 1 tbsp dried lavender
- ½ tsp dried mango
- ¼ tsp coriander seeds
- ½ tsp sugar
Colorants:
Instructions
- In a mason jar, Tupperware, or any sealable container, add the spirit and set aside.
- Now combine all the flavoring ingredients.
- We recommend gathering all the ingredients on a plate and then adding them all together to the high-proof spirit.
- Now add the butterfly pea flowers and then top with water to dilute the mixture.
- Give the mixture a good shake and then let it rest for 1-2 weeks.
- After the recommended storage time, you should notice a color change. In the case of this recipe, you can expect a mild blue color because of the butterfly pea flowers.
- Strain the mixture in a separate container and store it in a cool and dry place.
- We recommend storing the finished bitter in a bottle with a dropper — this will make it easier for you to add the mixture on top of your drinks.
Notes
- Perhaps the best thing about this bitters recipe is that it can be customized in many different ways. For example, you can add spicy herbs and other ingredients to alter the flavor of the bitter to your liking!
How To Make Bitters At Home
This recipe will give you sweet, woodsy, nutty, earthy, and bitter flavors that will perfectly complement a range of cocktails and even standalone drinks!
Ingredients
Spirits And Liquids:
- 200 ml neutral spirit (vodka, Everclear)
- 50 ml water
Flavorings:
- ¼ tsp gentian root
- 1 tbsp dried lavender
- ½ tsp dried mango
- ¼ tsp coriander seeds
- ½ tsp sugar
Colorants:
- 3 butterfly pea flowers
Instructions
- In a mason jar, Tupperware, or any sealable container, add the spirit and set aside.
- Now combine all the flavoring ingredients.
* We recommend gathering all the ingredients on a plate and then adding them all together to the high-proof spirit. - Now add the butterfly pea flowers and then top with water to dilute the mixture.
- Give the mixture a good shake and then let it rest for 1–2 weeks.
* After the recommended storage time, you should notice a color change. In the case of this recipe, you can expect a mild blue color because of the butterfly pea flowers. - Strain the mixture in a separate container and store it in a cool and dry place.
* We recommend storing the finished bitter in a bottle with a dropper — this will make it easier for you to add the mixture on top of your drinks.
Notes
Perhaps the best thing about this bitters recipe is that it can be customized in many different ways. For example, you can add spicy herbs and other ingredients to alter the flavor of the bitter to your liking!
Can You Use Bitters If You’re Avoiding Alcohol?
Can someone who refrains from alcohol use bitters? Well, the answer to this question can vary depending on who you ask.
Even though bitters can’t intoxicate, you should still avoid consuming them if you are refraining from alcohol.
The fact of the matter is that all bitters are made using alcohol — it is the driving foundation that extracts the flavors from the ingredients.
In most cases, bitters can have an ABV of up to 45% — some can go even higher depending on the type of spirit.
But even then, adding a high-proof bitter to any beverage will hardly have any effect on its booziness.
A few drops or a splash in a 250 ml beverage will make for a tiny fraction of the total volume of the beverage, which won’t even register or impact the total ABV!
This is why most bitters are typically labeled as being non-alcoholic. In theory, you can even add bitters to non-alcoholic beverages without getting a buzz.
The only way to make a serious impact on the booziness of any beverage is to add a considerable quantity of bitters to a beverage, which would render the drink undrinkable as it will add an extremely overpowering (even unpleasant) flavor.
In the end, it comes down to your personal preference.
If you are someone who avoids alcohol completely, then you might want to skip using bitters in your beverages since they will, in fact, add a very, very small amount of alcohol.
Will it be enough to intoxicate you or even negatively affect your body? No, but people refraining from alcohol, in general, must not rely on the “non-alcoholic” labeling on most bitters.
But for more flexible people, you can add bitters and even experiment with different types to experience a range of new flavors with just a few drops!
Related Questions
Bitters are the backbone of any tasty cocktail — now that you know all about them, here are some related questions we thought you might have.
Are there non-alcoholic bitters?
If you want a truly alcohol-free bitters, then we recommend that you opt for glycerin-based bitters.
These bitters are made in the same way (via infusion), but instead of alcohol, they are based on high-quality glycerin and a zero-proof alternative to extract the flavors from the ingredients.
These bitters can be used in the same way to flavor any type of beverage and can also be used in food recipes to add complexity!
How long do bitters last?
Bitters can last up to 5 years. They get their long shelf life thanks to the high-proof alcohol.
Remember: water is used for dilution and to make the mixture less harsh while alcohol acts as a preservative. Once the bitter has been successfully infused, it is strained and stored in a glass bottle.
This bottle doesn’t require refrigeration but you should still keep it away from heat and sunlight.
Older bitters should always be checked by smelling and tasting them before use since they can lose their original flavor when stored for longer.
Are there any sweet bitters?
Bitters are generally strong and have a distinctly sharp flavor with bitterness, but some concoctions are aimed to provide a sweeter flavor. These sweeter bitters are made using carefully selected botanicals, herbs, and regular sugar.
For example, Peychaud’s Bitters are known to be sweeter than traditional Angostura Bitters and have a pleasing anise and mint flavor.