Bitters are an alcoholic beverage that contains herbs and botanicals and most importantly, a bittering agent (typically citrus but can also be wormwood, quinine, angostura bark, or catechu). Traditionally, bitters were marketed as patented medicines, but now they are mostly used as cocktail flavoring although people interested in herbal medicine often use bitters as a digestif.

From the category archives:

Bitters

Can you make a cocktail out of weeds in your backyard?

by Columbine Quillen on July 21, 2010

What’s Up with Angostura Bitters.

by Columbine Quillen on April 17, 2010

Gomme Syrup

by Columbine Quillen on January 5, 2010

The Jerry Thomas Project

by Columbine Quillen on January 5, 2010

Tasting Notes

by Columbine Quillen on January 5, 2010

What? Me bitter?

by Columbine Quillen on January 5, 2010

Bitter beer, bitter attitude, and just bitters

by Columbine Quillen on December 4, 2009