Definition

Noun: 1. A type of alcoholic beverage: A strongly flavored, aromatic alcoholic liquor made by infusing bitter herbs, roots, bark, and/or fruits in a spirit base. It is typically high in alcohol content and used primarily as a flavoring agent in cocktails or as a digestive aid.

Usage

• Bitters are used in small quantities, often just a few dashes, to add complexity, balance, and depth to cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.
• They can also be consumed in very small amounts on their own, traditionally as a digestive after a meal.

Examples

• "The bartender added a dash of bitters to the cocktail shaker."
• "Angostura and Peychaud's are two famous brands of aromatic bitters."
• "He took a sip of bitters to settle his stomach after the rich meal."

Advanced Usage

• "Cocktail bitters": A specific category of bitters designed explicitly for mixing drinks, as opposed to potable bitters which are sometimes consumed neat.
  • Example: "A well-stocked bar should have at least one bottle of cocktail bitters."
• "Aromatic bitters": A common sub-type characterized by a spice-forward flavor profile, often featuring notes of cinnamon, clove, and allspice.
  • Example: "Aromatic bitters are essential for a classic Sazerac."

Variants and Related Words

• Bitter (adjective): Having a sharp, pungent taste that is not sour or sweet.
  • Example: "The tonic water has a bitter flavor."
• Potable bitters: A style of bitters that is more heavily infused and sometimes sweetened, intended to be drunk on their own or over ice.
  • Example: "Fernet-Branca is a well-known Italian potable bitter."

Synonyms

• Digestif (when referring to its after-dinner use): A beverage, often alcoholic, consumed after a meal to aid digestion.
• Flavoring extract (in the context of cocktail preparation): A concentrated substance used to impart flavor.

Related Phrases

• "To take the bitters with the sweet" (Idiom, derived from a more common phrase): To accept both the unpleasant and pleasant aspects of a situation. (Note: The more common idiom is "to take the bitter with the sweet").
  • Example: "In any career, you have to take the bitters with the sweet."

Noun

1. alcoholic liquor flavored with bitter herbs and roots