Tout savoir sur les Bitters

Everything you need to know about Bitters

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    If you've ventured into your local cocktail bar 🍾, you've probably seen "Bitters" on the menu. Just a few drops of this mysterious ingredient are enough to transform a good cocktail into an even better one.
    But what exactly is it , and why would you want it in your drink? Here's everything you need to know:

    What is a bitter?

    First of all, “bitters” and “cocktail bitters” are the same thing, bitters being the English term. Usually sold in small bottles , they contain a lot of flavor in very small doses. So it's good to know a thing or two about them before buying them, probably even before trying them.
    Bitters are obtained by infusing a neutral spirit with aromatics , usually several:
    • Spices like turmeric 🍠,
    • Tree bark,
    • Roots ,
    • Seeds,
    • Fruits and fruit peels,
    • Etc...

    You could say they are “spices” for cocktails , sprinkled on to perfect the flavor thanks to their aromas!


    The Origin of Bitters

    As with many vices, bitters began as medicinal products. The origins of bitters, those alcoholic mixtures composed of aromatic herbs like gentian , cassia, and orange peel, date back to ancient Egypt, where wine was infused with herbs. In the Middle Ages, pharmacognosy (the study of natural medicine) collided with the readily available distilled alcohol. This propelled the popularity of bitter combinations . Later, as with many marketing campaigns, the health claims began to sound a bit bizarre—bitters could then restore the vigor of youth to the elderly, cure malaria, and so on. But fortunately for all involved, bitters eventually found their way from the medicine cabinet to the liquor cabinet.

    origin of bitters


    Two very different types of Bitters

    Variety is the spice of life when it comes to bitters! It's important to note that cocktail bitters —those tiny bottles with a dropper attached to the cap—shouldn't be confused with drinking bitters . Drinking bitters are bitter liqueurs (also called Amari). They aren't as strong as cocktail bitters, meaning they can be consumed in larger quantities (a small glass rather than just a few drops 💩). It's easy enough to tell the difference, as no one would put anything in such a small bottle if you were going to drink it straight from the bottle. Of course, if you've ever tried drinking large quantities of non-drinking bitters like Angostura, your taste buds might just go on strike for a week or two! No harm done, but that doesn't mean it's a cure for malaria!

    The most famous Bitters

    Bitters hold a very important place among spirits. So, even if you're not a cocktail drinker, you've probably heard of some of the most popular types. There's Peychaud 's bitters, used in the Sazerac cocktail and developed in 1830 by Antoine Amedee Peychaud, a Haitian apothecary who settled in New Orleans. There's also Angostura bitters , with its oversized label, which can be found in everything from Old Fashioneds to hangover cures. And then, in a different category altogether, there are orange bitters and citrus light bitters 🍊. These are often orange in color, with a lighter flavor profile, and generally a bit less bitterness.
    The Old Fashioned đŸ„ƒ is undoubtedly the most well-known cocktail containing bitters. We offer the perfect glass for drinking (and preparing) your Old Fashioneds; don't forget to add your favorite bitters!
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