Don’t be bitter: The art and science behind bitters, and how to use them.

Note: this post has been slightly updated from it’s original release

It's still Damp January, and while a lot of us have given up on some of our New Year’s resolutions there are still people who are tossing the hard stuff aside. Those who do so sometimes settle for bland, unbalanced zero-proof cocktails but not to worry…flavor need not be forsaken. Enter the unsung hero of the cocktail world, often overlooked, but never outclassed: bitters. Let's delve into their roots, their creation, their perks in your mocktails, and the dry-ish January question you might have as you’re reading the information on the back of your bottle — are they still considered non-alcoholic?

A Bittersweet Beginning: The Origin Story 🌿

Once upon a time (we're talking way back in the early 19th century), bitters were born— not in bars, but in pharmacies. Originally crafted as medicinal tinctures, bitters were a blend of botanicals, spices, bark, and roots steeped in alcohol. They were the cure-all elixirs prescribed for digestive woes or just about any ailment. Fast forward to today, bartenders wield bitters as the alchemist would, concocting potions to soothe the palate rather than the gut. Any self respecting bar is going to have a handful of flavored bitters on hand, and we encourage you at your home bar to do the same.

The Alchemy Behind Bitters: Crafting the Potion 🔮

The making of bitters is both a science and an art. It starts with a high-proof spirit, which is then infused with a whole mess of botanicals—think herbs, fruit peels, seeds, spices, and bark. This magical fusion is left to mingle and marry their flavors, resulting in a highly concentrated concoction that's intensely aromatic and bursting with complex flavors.

To Stir or Not to Stir: Bitters in Zero-Proof Cocktails 🍸

So, why bother with bitters in your zero-proof cocktails? Simple—they're like the spice rack of your drink! Bitters add depth, complexity, and an adult edge that most zero-proof cocktails yearn for. A few dashes can elevate your innocent concoction to a drink with backbone. And let's not forget the benefits—bitters can stimulate the appetite and aid digestion, just as their forebears intended.

The Spirited Debate: Are Bitters Truly Non-Alcoholic? 🤔

Here's the twist—not all bitters are created without alcohol, in fact, most traditional bitters contain a high percentage of it. However, when it comes to cocktails, we use them in such trace amounts, dashes, that they don’t significantly contribute to the overall alcohol content of the drink. You'd have to down a whole Tiki bar worth of zero-proof cocktails with bitters to equal a single shot of liquor.

In many places, bitters are sold as non-alcoholic because they're not typically imbibed solo—they're a flavoring, much like vanilla extract. However, if you’re keeping it strictly zero-proof, there are some incredible alcohol-free bitters available on the market. Our favorite site to get some of these from is Boisson, which offers an amazing selection of zero proof and non-alcoholic spirits, mixers, and a wealth of recipes and advice. These offer the same zest and complexity without any of the alcohol, so everyone can get bitter with it!

Mixing It Up: Crafting one of the most famous Zero-Proof cocktails with bitters: The Old Fashioned 🥃

Crafting a zero-proof Old Fashioned is all about capturing the spirit of the cocktail—rich, smooth, and aromatic—without the spirit itself. Bitters play a crucial role here, adding that signature depth and complexity to your refined sipper. Here’s how you can stir up an alcohol-free version of this timeless classic.

The Zero-Proof Old Fashioned Recipe

Ingredients:

- 2oz of Zero Proof Whiskey or Bourbon

- 1/4oz of Simple Syrup

- 2 dashes of Angostura or non-alcoholic aromatic bitters (N.A. or Alcoholic)

- Ice cube (If you have silicone mold that you can make cubes specifically for cocktails, this is going to be one you’re going to want to use it for this one)

- Orange peel for garnish

Voila! You’ve just mixed yourself a zero-proof Old Fashioned that pays homage to the heart of this cocktails depth, while staying delightfully sober. This is a ritual you can enjoy any time of day, any day of the week, minus the fog and fuzz.

Happy mixing, friends!

Cheers!