I love a good gin and tonic in the summertime, and I also enjoy more exotic, herb-tinged sparklers. But lately my drink of choice has been simpler, lower in alcohol and lower in calories. It's sparkling and perfectly refreshing.
Bitters, such as Peychaud's and Angostura, are herbal concoctions of alcohol and dozens of (usually mysterious) ingredients. They have bitter, complex flavors and they are usually used as a flavor accent in cocktails.
I have been finding, though, that a dash of bitters in a glass of soda water is an immensely refreshing drink, especially in the afternoon, when I don't want a full-on cocktail.
Bitters are generally 35% to 45% alcohol, but using them in moderation like this means that the resulting drink is quite low in alcohol. I did some rough calculations, and a drink with a teaspoon of bitters has probably about as much alcohol as 1/10th of a glass of wine.
And yet the soda tastes herbal and warm, almost like a watered-down root beer. That doesn't sound very pleasant, perhaps, but if you are looking for a drink that is not sweet at all, and that has only light flavor, this might be up your alley. I have found it wonderfully refreshing, and a nice substitute for a more alcoholic (and calorie-laden) cocktail. I certainly don't forgo those; I just save them until after work.
Do you ever drink bitters in soda? What kind do you use? I have been drinking regular Angostura, but I also really like Peychaud's and the Blood Orange Bitters from Stirrings.
More about bitters:
• Cocktail Basics: All About Bitters
• How Do I Make Bitters from a Starter?
• Mixology News: Changes Shake Up 2 Bar Basics
• Homemade Bitters
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I came across this drink when I was out one night and was suffering from BAD acid reflux. The bartender made it for me and the reflux went away almost immediately. It is my go to remedy ever since.
I've been a fan of Peychaud's for years!
Yes, I love doing this! I collect bitters and one of my favorite ways of using them is in seltzer. :) I'm a big fan of using the Angostura Orange for this purpose.
It is also my favorite remedy for an upset stomach. Thank god for wise bartenders!
Bitters are wonderful. I like to add Angostura to burgers, chili and other savory soups. Where did that blood orange bitters in the picture come from?
I must find blood orange bitters! please tell me where to get it!
It's made by Stirrings, which is available at a lot of grocery stores and liquor stores. I found it at Kroger, I think. It's definitely a lot less intense than other sorts of bitters; it is actually alcohol-free.
Yes! Sometimes, because apparently I can't get enough of sour, bitter flavors, I add a squeeze of lime juice too.
working in a bar/restaurant (and often being forced to work with an upset stomach, such as after a bout of food poisoning or from pneumonia antibioitcs....) I too discovered bitters and soda as a cure for upset stomach.
I actually like a dash of bitters in my diet coke along with a twist of lime. It makes it taste a little fancy without all the alcohol.
Fee Brothers have introduced so many new flavors - it's wonderful! I like Rhubarb Bitters or Aztec Chocolate in extra fizzy (4 burp) homemade soda water. I've also mixed Orange and Chocolate. I now use bitters in soda much more than in mixed drinks.
I just finished a glass of soda water with a dash of homemade rose and hibiscus bitters...yumtaculous. also a bartender's trick that works every time as a hiccup cure...
1 lemon slice coated in sugar with a few dashes of bitters...suck your way to relief.
Awesome, I love bitters on ice cream and in soups(Especially when I'm not feeling good) This is great news I'm gonna go have one of these right now. :)
Bitters can be used in a drink called "Lemon, Lime and Bitters". Growing up in New Zealand this is something i ordered all the time, but I havent found anyone in the USA that has heard of it before. Its really easy to make for yourself:
add about 6 drops of bitters to a glass, fill the glass about 7/8 full of sprite or 7up and then fill the rest with lime juice, then stir. ice can be added if you want
Can you also make a drink with Bitters and Club Soda (which has quinine in it)?
*Tonic Water* is the one with quinine in it. Soda water is just unflavored carbonated water.