How to Make Bitters for Cocktails & Desserts
Learn how to craft flavored cocktail bitters to enhance the flavor profile of your favorite drinks and desserts. Plus, download free printables that are equally cute to label them with!
If you’ve ever sipped on a perfectly crafted cocktail and wondered what gave it that extra depth of flavor, chances are bitters were involved.
These small but mighty ingredients are the secret weapon of mixologists everywhere, adding complexity and balance to drinks with just a few drops.
So join us as we explore the world of bitters and learn how to create your own unique flavors for truly one-of-a-kind cocktails.
Plus, we’re sharing with you FREE downloadable labels for your storage jars to make these look extra special for unique housewarming gifts or hostess gifts or even just for your home wet bar.
Homemade Cocktail Bitters
Aromatic bitters are actually SUPER simple to make. Literally, all you have to do is combine the ingredients in an airtight jar. There’s no set right or wrong way to mix bitters.
Creating bitters is as easy as combining your chosen ingredients in an airtight jar. There’s no strict formula. Let your creativity guide you. Steep the mixture in a dark place for 14-21 days, giving it a good shake every other day. Once infused, strain the liquid into a dark glass bottle. Your homemade bitters will keep indefinitely when stored properly, away from light and extreme temperatures.
The flavor profile of your flavored bitters entirely depends on the ingredients you select. Experiment with different combinations to discover your perfect blend. Here are popular ones below:
How to Make Orange Bitters
Elevate your home bar with the complex and citrusy flavor of homemade orange bitters. This bitters recipe perfectly pairs and is a key ingredient for making a coffee old fashioned, martini with a twist, rose martini and cherry vodka sour.
Ingredients:
- 750 mL of 100 proof vodka
- 1/2 pound orange peel pieces — If using fresh orange peels, dry them in a low-temperature oven until they are leathery. This helps to concentrate their flavor.
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 4 cardamom pods — Crush the cardamom pods slightly to release their aromatic oils.
- 20 drops gentian extract
Instructions:
1 — Combine ingredients into an airtight jar.
2 — Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar vigorously every other day to ensure even extraction of flavors.
3 — Strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a jar, discarding the solids.
4 — Transfer the strained bitters to small, dark glass bottles.
How to Make Grapefruit Bitters
Brighten up your cocktail game with homemade grapefruit bitters. This citrus-forward elixir adds a refreshing twist to classic and contemporary drinks. Some popular cocktail pairings include a Blackberry Blitz, gin and tonic, vodka soda, margaritas, daiquiris, whiskey sours and especially alcohol drinks with a rye whiskey component.
Ingredients:
- 750 mL 100 proof vodka
- Peeled zest from 1 grapefruit
- Peeled zest from 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender blossoms
- 4 dried juniper berries
- 1 fresh sage leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- 2 ounces simple syrup (which you’ll add in at the end)
- 20 drops of gentian extract
Instructions:
1 — Combine the grapefruit and lemon zest with the vodka in a sealed glass jar. Shake vigorously, then let the mixture steep overnight in a cool, dark place.
2 — After the initial steep, add the lavender, coriander, juniper berries, sage, and gentian root to the jar. Seal and shake again,then let the mixture steep for an additional 14 days.
3 — Strain the infused liquid through a coffee filter into a dark glass bottle. Stir in the simple syrup, seal tightly, and store in a cool, dark place. Your grapefruit bitters will keep for up to a year.
How to Make Peach Bitters
Peach bitters are a versatile addition to a wide range of cocktails. Their delicate, fruity notes can enhance or complement various spirits and flavors. They enhance the tropical flavors of daiquiris and mojitos and create a unique twist on margaritas and Palomas.
Ingredients:
- 750 mL 100 proof vodka
- 4 peach pits
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon gentian root
- 4 cloves
Instructions:
1 — Combine all ingredients in an airtight jar.
2 — Store in a cool, dark place for 21 days, shaking the jar occasionally.
3 — After steeping, strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a clean glass bottle.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Experimentation: While these recipes provide a basic framework, the art of bitters-making often involves experimentation and refinement. Don’t be afraid to adjust quantities and ingredients to achieve your desired taste.
- Sweeteners: Simple syrup can be added after steeping to balance bitterness, but many prefer unsweetened bitters.
- Bottling: We recommend food safe dark glass dropper bottles to protect from light.
- Temperature: Store the mixture in a cool, dark place to prevent evaporation and oxidation.
- Agitation: Shaking the jar occasionally helps extract flavors.
- A little goes a long way: Bitters are highly concentrated, so start with a few dashes and adjust to taste.
- Cocktails: Bitters can add complexity and balance to classic and modern cocktails.
- Desserts: Experiment with bitters in chocolate desserts, ice creams, and baked goods for unexpected flavor profiles.
- Cooking: Some bitters can enhance savory dishes, such as marinades and sauces.
Free Printable Labels for Your DIY Bitters
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE LABLES
We’re always a sucker for cute jars and consider ourselves label queens. So we decided to create our own bitters labels, inspired by this fruit patterned wall art that we made for the old studio. Simply print the download above onto adhesive 8″ x 10″ sheets and cut to size. Then, you’re all set!
Orange Bitters Recipe
Equipment
- Jar
- Coffee filter
Ingredients
- 750 mL vodka 100 proof
- 4 peach pit
- 1/2 lemon zest
- 2 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon gentian root
- 4 cloves
Nutrition
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in an airtight jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place for 21 days, shaking the jar occasionally.
- After steeping, strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a clean glass bottle.
Grapefruit Bitters Recipe
Equipment
- Jar
- Coffee filter
Ingredients
- 750 mL vodka 100 proof
- 1 grapefruit zest only
- 1 lemon zest only
- 1/2 tsp dried lavender blossoms
- 4 dried juniper berries
- 1 fresh sage leaf
- 1/2 tsp whole coriander seeds
- 2 oz simple syrup
- 20 drops gentian extract
Nutrition
Instructions
- Combine the grapefruit and lemon zest with the vodka in a sealed glass jar. Shake vigorously, then let the mixture steep overnight in a cool, dark place.
- After the initial steep, add the lavender, coriander, juniper berries, sage, and gentian root to the jar. Seal and shake again,then let the mixture steep for an additional 14 days.
- Strain the infused liquid through a coffee filter into a dark glass bottle. Stir in the simple syrup, seal tightly, and store in a cool, dark place. Your grapefruit bitters will keep for up to a year.
Peach Bitters Recipe
Equipment
- Jar
- Coffee filter
Ingredients
- 750 mL vodka 100 proof
- 4 peach pits
- 1/2 lemon zest only
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice berries
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon gentian root
- 4 cloves
Nutrition
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in an airtight jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place for 21 days, shaking the jar occasionally.
- After steeping, strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a clean glass bottle.
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