Bitters: So Much More Than an Angry Name
If you’ve ever had a drink mixed with whiskey, it’s probably safe to say you’ve heard of “bitters” before.
However, if you’re not much of a drinker, especially of the bourbon flavor, that word might leave you confused and wondering why anybody would want to consume something with such a sour name.
There is oh so much more to bitters than just a name that might be a tad off putting. This week, we’re going to fill you in on some of the benefits to bitters, and why it’s so much more than just an add-on to some cocktails.
What is Bitters?
That being said, we still can’t dance around the definition of bitters, which, according to Dictionary.com, is as follows:
“A liquid, often an alcoholic liquor, in which bitter herbs or roots have steeped, used as a flavoring, especially in mixed drinks, or as a tonic.”
As you can see, the “bitter” word derives from the herbs and roots that have steeped into the flavor. Adding in this botanical flavor helps characterize the bittersweet or sometimes harsh flavor.
Will I Get Drunk Off Bitters?
Bit of an interesting question here with a complex, yet straightforward answer:
Yes, but no.
Yes in that, while bitters is typically comprised of about 45% alcohol, the truth is, you usually only put a few dashes in here or there for flavor, not additional alcohol.
The “no” of the answer comes from that same idea, in that you’d probably have to drink half a bottle of bitters, at least, before you started to feel the affects of the alcohol. Besides, the taste that isn’t exactly the best on its own, and you’re more likely to get sick before you get drunk, so it’s probably not worth it.
Compare it to something like peppermint extract that is 89% alcohol. You can certainly get drunk off a little bottle of that, but… would you?
What Flavors Are There?
That depends on a myriad of different factors, not least of all who you buy it through.
The most popular brands like Angostura and Fee Brothers that you see in most bars have quite a variety to choose from. As for us, we love the choices we get from The Bitter Ginger, but more on him in just a minute.
When we’re choosing our favorite flavors, we oscillate between chocolate, orange, or cherry flavored bitters for our main choices.
When we’re feeling a little adventurous, we’re always happy to throw in a little lavender, or even the “Zen Buddha” bitters from The Bitter Ginger.
What Are the Health Benefits?
Oddly enough, this little add-on that’s meant to enhance the flavors of your alcohol beverages actually does an equally great number on curing the headache you might find the next day.
Outside of that, there are actual health benefits you can receive from use of bitters, even when you use it in a nonalcoholic beverage.
While you should never rely on bitters itself as an end-all be-all cure, it can help with digestive issues and assist you with unwanted inflammation. Additionally, it aids in removing toxins from the liver, which may have had quite a dance with the bitters the night before and might need that extra relief.
If you struggle with overeating, it can also help you control and maintain your diet because some of the stimulates inside of bitters help suppress your appetite. Again, though, do not rely on bitters to be the only thing in your diet. It’s an add-on, not a main dish.
Where Can I Buy Bitters?
Anywhere and everywhere, but we’d sure love it if you could buy some in our online store.
If not from there, we still encourage you to head on over to The Bitter Ginger and give his flavors a try.
Outside of that, any grocery or liquor store should have more than one option of bitter flavors.
The Bitter Ginger
Producing small batch and handcrafted bitters straight from the Big Sur Coastline, The Bitter Ginger has rapidly become our favorite source for bitters.
After the owner, Brian Mazurek, saw a need to push the bar program at the Sierra Mar restaurant he managed at the Post Ranch Inn, his interest in producing bitters piqued. Living out on a citrus farm in Big Sur helped him get access to the fruits needed to start his experimentations, and he’s always pushing the boundaries of flavor and customizing his bitters options.
If the ingredients in the bitters don’t come straight out of the Apple Pie Ranch in Big Sur, they’re at least locally and organically sourced, so you already know only the best is going into this product.
