Bitters are a liquid ingredient having, as the name suggests, mostly bitter flavor, though the taste depends on the brand. They are a classy cocktail ingredient and can be found in every nightclub or bar.
The modern concept of using bitters was initiated to treat stomach pain. An ingredient that saw a sudden dip in its consumption during the prohibition era, bitters have been used by mixologists to make some amazing cocktails.
Bitters are mostly added in the recipe by using the word- “a dash of bitters.” A dash of bitters is 6 to 8 drops or 1/8th of a teaspoon. Bitters are of 2 types- digestive bitters and cocktail bitters. As far as cocktail bitters are concerned, there are plenty of options to choose from. A wide variety of delicious drinks are made using bitters. Let us have a look at some of them.
Pink Gin
This gin based cocktail is a delight for many. Made using a simple recipe and easily available ingredients, this drink should be tried at least once by every cocktail lover.
Coat a glass with bitters, and pour in a chilled gin, to make this amazing drink at home. Angostura bitters are used to prepare this exotic drink. You can also add bitters to bourbon over an ice cube to make the drink even more interesting.
Old Fashioned
The old fashioned is a drink that is admired by everyone in the world of cocktails. A sugar cube soaked in bitters, a shot of whiskey and an orange peel to top it all off- this is how an old fashioned is made. It’s a delicious and elegant drink that refreshes the people sipping it. This classic drink originated in the 1800s and is as popular as it was back then.
Rye whisky is preferred mostly, to make this drink. Angostura bitters are used as a key ingredient of this drink. Orange peel as garnish really enhances the overall appeal of the drink. There are many variations of the drink that are available and should be tried.
Rose Gin and Tonic
Bitters are a key ingredient of this amazing cocktail. This gin based drink is cherished for its sweet taste and graceful look. The fruity sweetness of the drink is what makes it a lovable choice for many occasions. 3-4 dashes of grapefruit bitters are used to make the Rose Gin and Tonic.
A rose petal or lemon twist is used for garnishing. The amazing taste of this drink remains in your mouth long after you have finished the last sip, and makes you keep coming back for more!
Black and Red Cocktail
Switching your whiskey for an Irish variety transforms a regular Manhattan into a Black and Red Cocktail. This whiskey based drink is delightfully sweet and has an amazing effect on the taste buds. Sweet vermouth pairs well with the whiskey. Add to that, a dash or 2 of bitters, and you have a perfect happy hour drink ready to be served.
It is a nice and relaxing sipper after a hard day at work. With an easy recipe and impactful ingredients, this drink is a must have for every cocktail enthusiast out there.
Canadian Cocktail
A drink that is easy to make and refreshing to taste, the Canadian cocktail is another drink that is loved by many. A dash of Angostura bitters are used to make this beautiful drink. Orange curcao, lemon and a hint of bitters is what comes together with Canadian whiskey to make this drink. This easily prepared drink is a good way to enjoy a perfectly blended whiskey.
Using premium brands to make this drink is recommended . The Canadian Cocktail originated to show off some great whiskeys and the tradition continues till date.
Bloody Mary
No list of cocktails is ever complete without the inclusion of Bloody Mary in it. This exotic cocktail is an iconic drink loved by every cocktail enthusiast around the world.
It is a favorite brunch drink of many and is loved for its easy recipe and delicious taste. Its hangover curing property is also something that is adored by many. This amazing drink is one of the best cocktails out there.
A shot of vodka over ice is the first step to start making this drink. All the ingredients come together perfectly well. The drink can be as spicy or as sweet as you would like it to be. Bitters can be used to give it a better flavor. If you are starting to know your cocktails, try Bloody Mary once.
Dark and Stormy
Dark and Stormy is a Caribbean drink that is loved by all cocktail lovers. This fruity rum drink is as refreshing as it gets. A good taste and an easy recipe make it a must try drink. The different flavors of the ingredients blend perfectly well to produce a drink that is loved by many. Ginger beer and bitters are both essential to make this drink.
The lime wedges used for garnishing are able to enhance its overall appeal. Dark rum is used to give a great background to the drink. An effect that isn’t that pronounced with white rum.
Sazerac
This whiskey based cocktail is a drink that can be mastered with ease. This timeless cocktail from New Orleans is a drink that many cocktail enthusiasts. Peychaud’s bitter is used as a key ingredient to make this drink. It is one of the best examples of a balanced drink that you will ever come across. The bitter, anise and sugar combine well with a good rye.
As is the case with many famous drinks, there are multiple way to make it. The bitters used to make the drink differ too, depending on the recipe. Though there is no right or wrong way to make it, one should first try the recipe by the Sazerac company before trying out the variations. This happy hour drink is perfectly soothing and should be served to your friends when you all gather to brush off the tedious routine.
The Sawyer
This drink is the ultimate bitters heavy cocktail. This drink was developed by a bartender named Don Lee. This drink calls for a total of 28 dashes of bitters. 3 kinds of bitters are required to make this drink. Gin, lime juice and simple syrup are the ingredients that make this delicious cocktail. 14 dashes of Angostura bitters, 7 dashes of orange bitters and 7 dashes of Peychaud’s is needed to make this drink.
This drink is a perfect cocktail to be served post dinner or in a BBQ. It required very few minutes of efforts to prepare large batches of the drink. So, if you are planning to host a party for your friends, you can serve this drink to make the event more memorable. The amazing taste of this drink stays with the individual even after the last sip.
The Tequini
The name, says it all. The Tequini is a simple martini made with tequila. It is drier than most of the routinely consumed tequila cocktails. A good tequila is allowed to shine in Tequini. It is a good drink to be served post dinner. The recipe to make this drink is pretty simple. The ingredients are also very easily available. Along with an easy to follow recipe, the delightful taste and elegant look of the drink make it a must have cocktail.
To make this drink, Blanco tequila is paired with dry vermouth. A dash of bitters is added to the drink. Just like the gin martini, the proportion of the ingredients can be altered as per your needs. The amount of vermouth can be altered to suit your taste. Try this drink for the amazing flavor combo it offers.
These are some of the best drink to have bitters with. Bitters add a distinct flavor to the cocktail. There is an unique delight to be had while sipping these cocktails, and they make the overall drinking experience, more soothing. These drinks have an easy recipe and should be tried once. Bitters as an ingredient, will give you a more enriched experience!