DIY Cherry Bitters Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cherry bitters made of? ›

Cherry bitters use anise, fennel seeds, lemongrass, vanilla, and more to create a sweet-and-sour impact that pairs perfectly with rum or whiskey-infused co*cktails. Put the cherries in a sealable glass jar with 1/2 cup of the neutral grain spirit.

| Do Bitters Expire? On average, bitters last around 5 years. However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent.

Making your own bitters for co*cktails, as we've detailed above, isn't too dissimilar from brewing tea. By steeping aromatics and flavoring agents in vodka, the alcohol extracts the flavors and creates a delicious mix-in for any drink.

Commercial bitters are usually between 35 and 45 percent ABV. With Everclear 151, when it's time to dilute your bitters to the appropriate ABV, just add an equal amount of water-based solution and there you are at 37.5 percent. If you've used a 100-proof spirit, you'll have to do a little math.

Description. Ingredients: Alcohol, water, natural flavors (Gentian root, cherry, spices) Product Description: Bitterness of Natural Gentian Root, the sweetness of cherry and notes of spice. Application: Flavoring co*cktails.

What are Bitters Made of? Bitters are a neutral alcohol infused with spices, herbs, fruits, roots, and other ingredients. Common ingredients include cinchona bark, gentian root, cascarilla, orange peel, and others. Most bitters are 35 to 45% ABV (alcohol by volume), so they have a relatively high alcohol content.

A: All co*cktail bitters contain alcohol--quite a lot by volume--but they are considered a "non-potable" product, which is why their sale is not restricted, just like anyone can buy flavored extracts (like vanilla), which also contain alcohol but aren't meant for direct consumption.

Bitters should be avoided by people with certain health conditions or anyone who's pregnant. Bitters may also interact with certain medications and should not be used by children. Always speak with your doctor about possible interactions of medicinal herbs and plants with your current medication.

If your gastrointestinal tract is working well on its own — or if it's already working overtime — consuming bitters may actually backfire. Bitters create more gastric acid in your stomach, which can actually contribute to digestive issues in people who are predisposed to them: Acid reflux.

Because of the gut-brain connection, not only can bitters enhance digestion, but they can reduce depression and improve mood. They also support your liver's natural detoxification processes, and thus can improve skin health.

What is the best spirit for making bitters? ›

No matter what kind of recipe you're concocting, all bitters should be created with high-proof liquor. This means liquor that is 50% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 100 proof. Vodka or grain alcohols, like Everclear, tend to work the best.

It's considered a negligible amount of alcohol that your body breaks down quickly before entering the bloodstream. A few drops of bitters is less than 0.5% ABV, the legal definition of a non-alcoholic liquid.

Bitters are technically alcoholic, and they're usually between 35% to 45% ABV. Because they're sold in such small bottles and their flavor is so strong, most recipes call for just a dash or a few drops, making its overall alcohol contribution negligible, and why you don't need to be 21 or older to buy them.

First and foremost, it's wise to keep bottles tightly closed as this can prevent any oxygen from entering. Additionally, though it's not necessary to refrigerate them unless they're fruit-based, bottles should always be stored in a cool and dry area away from direct sunlight and heat.

co*cktail bitters are regulated as food ingredients by the US Food and Drug Administrative (FDA). Common co*cktail bitters, like almond bitters, are considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), in which case no additional approval is required.

Most of them are made with alcohol, since it's such an effective extractor of flavor, but because the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) considers bitters to be a food item, they're not subject to the labeling requirements that TTB enforces.

Alcohol Content of Bitters

They are generally bottled at 35–45% alcohol. Since most bitters are used by dashes or in drops, the amount of alcohol is minuscular, making the ABV difficult to trace.

In 1870, Siegert's three sons migrated to Trinidad and established the bitters as an essential ingredient in co*cktails and food. With four bitters variations: Aromatic Bitters, Orange Bitters, Cocoa Bitters, and Amaro Di Angostura, Angostura is a staple for bartenders and professional and home cooks.

you have three bitters for your home bar: Angostura with its deeper spice profile. the lighter sweeter and a little fruity Peychaud's. and a third special flavor like orange, cocoa or even lavender. they can balance your drinks and make fun foam art to cover up the smell of egg whites.