Bitters

Definition:

Ahh... the spice rack of the cocktail world; only instead of shaking paprika over your Bloody Mary (please don’t), you dash in a few drops of botanicals steeped in booze. Think roots, bark, fruits, herbs, and leaves all hanging out in high-proof alcohol, working overtime to turn a good drink into a “where-have-you-been-all-my-life” drink.

Why it Matters:

Bitters are the unsung heroes of cocktail culture - the tiny drop with a big attitude. Without them, your Manhattan would be just bourbon in a fancy glass, your Old Fashioned would be whiskey with sweetener, and your bartender would look far less mysterious when dramatically waving that little bottle with the dasher top. They bring balance, depth, and complexity, turning a flat drink into a layered experience. Essentially, bitters are the difference between sipping on “meh” and swirling “magnificent.”