What are bitters and why should I be interested in them?
Aromatic Bitters are flavoring agents made with herbs and spices extracted into alcohol. We take bitters as a digestif to help digestion after a meal, as an apéritif to stimulate the appetite before a meal or at any time to promote gut health. It turns out the bitter taste is an important part of our diet.
The Bitter tasting herbs and foods help digestion and uptake of nutrients. In fact, a lack of bitters in the diet can lead to some common digestive complaints, such as gas, bloating, constipation, lack of appetite, nausea, even food intolerances.
Aromatic Bitters are made at The Herb Cottage in small batches to ensure proper flavor and balance between the Aromatic Herbs and the Bitter Herbs.
Traditionally bitters have been used to aid digestion- taken before a meal as an ‘apéritif‘. Bitters can also be taken after a meal as a cordial…. or as an ingredient in a cocktail or mocktail. Bitters help us digest our food better. By doing so, we get more nutrition from our food.
Many of the Bitters I make were originally made to be used to in cocktails. Were you aware that cocktails were born out of the pre-meal apéritif? The tiny glass of an apéritif, which many times was an herb infused liquor, such as brandy with a splash of a Bitter, has morphed into our before dinner cocktail hour, with bitters used as flavoring agents rather than for health benefits. That doesn’t mean, however, that these same bitters cannot be used to enhance digestion.
The bitters I make use alcohol to extract the properties of the herbs. This is the traditional way to make bitters. I use either Vodka, Bourbon or Tequila, depending on the herbs and other ingredients. Since bitters are taken in very small amounts, a few drops to ½ ounce, the amount of alcohol ingested is minimal.
There are recipes for bitters made without alcohol, with vinegar, for instance. I’m researching those recipes and hope to have some alcohol-free bitters here soon.
Aromatic Bitters Selection
Anti Inflammatory Bitters
People have been looking for ways to ease pain for centuries. Even today, many people are looking for substitutes for over-the-counter medicines to ease the pain of arthritis, especially.
This anti-inflammatory blend is comprise of spices that have been known to ease pain of stiff and uncomfortable joints.
Taken on a regular basis, this blend can help ease painful joints. The idea is not to over-use this extract, but rather use it on a daily basis and, over time, it can help ease joint pain.
Ingredients: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, vodka
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Digestive Blend Bitters
All bitters are considered “digestive” because of the bitter herbs in each recipe. This recipe is comprised of seeds that are often made into a digestive tea for after meals or simply chewed.
This extract, made with fennel, coriander and cumin is effective in reducing the feeling of bloating, gas and other digestive complaints after eating. Using this extract, along with, perhaps, reviewing your diet and eating habits can go a long way to ease digestive discomfort.
Take a few drops before and/or after a meal. If you prefer, mix it into a little plain or sparkling water.
Ingredients: cumin seed, fennel seed, coriander seed, vodka
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Orange Bitters
Orange bitters are traditionally enjoyed in a before meal drink or aperitif. Enjoy a few drops of orange bitters in a small cordial or mixed in a little glass of sparkling water.
The flavor of orange enhances many cocktails made with various types of alcohols.
Ingredients: orange peel, cardamom pods, ginger root, cinchona bark, vodka
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Orange Cacao Bitters
Orange Cacao Bitters add the chocolaty bitterness of cacao to the citrusy bitterness of orange. think of a chocolate bar infused with orange.
Use these bitters as an aperitif or digestif, an after dinner drink to aid digestion. Use them in cocktails of your choosing.
Ingredients: roasted carob nibs, orange peel, dandelion root, vodka
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Berry Berry Bitters
Blackberries are a summer treat. If you’ve ever picked blackberries and ended up with purple stained fingers, you’ve enjoyed high Vitamin C, brain boosting power and lots of fiber.
Blackberry bitters add some of all that when used on a regular basis. As with all bitters, they aid in digestion and gut health. Try Blackberry Bitters in fruit smoothies, fruit juice and herb tea.
Ingredients: blackberries, spearmint leaves, horehound, vodka, water, sugar
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Cacao Bitters
Cacao has high antioxidant and inflammation reducing capacities. It’s no wonder it’s a perfect match for a bitters recipe.
This chocolaty flavored bitters goes well with hot drinks such as coffee and hot chocolate. It brings a warm and bitter component to heated winter cocktail.
Ingredients: Cacao nibs, vanilla bean, cinnamon, wormwood, water, sugar
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Cardamom Bitters
Cardamom is a spice that is a key ingredient in Indian, North African, and Middle Eastern cooking. The teardrop-shaped pods—which come in green, black, or white varieties—contain seeds that carry the majority of the flavor and aroma, at once both citrusy and savory.
Cardamom is known as a digestive support herb because its warming qualities soothe the digestive tract allowing it to relax and do its work. The flavor adds freshness and a bright flavor to teas, cordials and other drinks.
Ingredients: cardamom, cinchona bark, ginger, vodka, water, honey
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Coconut Bitters
Coconut is known as a healthy food and its appearance as a bitter is no different. Coconut is aromatic, full of minerals and contains antioxidants. Try it in tropical fruit smoothies or drizzled over cut up fresh fruit.
On a hot summer day, have a sip of something nice and fruity. These coconut bitters are the perfect complement to tropically inspired drinks, with or without an added adult beverage.
Ingredients: coconut, horehound, cardamom, vodka, water, sugar
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Habanero Bitters
Hot peppers of all kinds have many health benefits. As a bitter tonic, habanero helps to move blood, warming you up and stimulating the nervous system.
The heat in these habanero bitters is tempered by mint, leaving just a hint at the end of each sip. It’s a fine addition to any beverage that needs a little spice! Try it in hot chocolate for a traditional Mexican treat.
Ingredients: habanero chiles, mint leaves, lime zest, horehound, cinchona bark, tequila, water, honey
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Lavender Bitters
Use Lavender bitters the same way you use lavender in tea- for its aromatic and calming aspect. It’s lovely with lemonade and sparkling water, with or without your favorite adult beverage.
Ingredients: lavender flowers, lemon, orris root, vodka, water, honey
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Peach Bitters
Peaches are a true summertime treat. Nothing can compare to the flavor and aroma of a ripe peach at the height of summer. Here, vanilla bean and cinnamon complement the flavor of ripe yellow peaches.
Peaches are soothing and cooling. The bright summer flavor of peaches comes through in this bitter recipe. It’s wonderful added to a glass of sparking water, lemonade or an adult beverage.
Ingredients: peaches, vanilla bean, cinnamon, horehound, bourbon, water
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap
Rosemary Bitters
Rosemary is an uplifting and stimulating herb. As a bitter, it adds an element that helps you focus and be alert. Its warming flavor adds a nice touch to tea blends and hot chocolate.
Ingredients: rosemary, lemon, horehound, vodka, lemon, honey
- $10.00, 1 ounce bottle with dropper cap
- $18.00, 2 ounce bottle with dropper cap