Infused bitters are a very strongly flavored, and often bitter, liquid. They are often made using high proof alcohol and great additions to cocktails, sodas or even sauces.
Bitters are so strong that they are almost never supposed to be drank alone, and even in cocktails there will usually only be an a few drops per ounce of alcohol. They add background notes and aromatics to drinks, opening them up and making them seem richer and more complex.
With the traditional infusion method bitters are a slow, 4-week-long process. Using sous vide or a whipping siphon speeds this process up to only a few hours.
Most bitters have some kind of bittering agent, such as gentian root, quassia root,cinchona bark or worm wood. They also have strong flavoring agents and aromatics to round out the bittering agents.
I almost always use my bitters in cocktails but I also enjoy them in club soda for a simple afternoon drink.
Most bitters will last for several months in a dark cabinet due to their high alcohol content. The flavors will fade over time though.
What better holiday gift than discovering how to make infusions to give as gifts! Here's a step by step look at creating infusions for oil, alcohol, vinegar, and bitters!
Bitters add aromas to subtly tweak the flavors of cocktails. Classic aromatic bitters infusions have notes of cinnamon, clove, and cardamon while using several bittering agents to round out the flavors.
Using the spices present in many richly flavored, complex Mexican mole sauces in an infusion allows you to quickly add a deepness of flavor with smokey, spicy notes to any drink you want.
There are many ways you can use infused alcohols in cocktails. I highlight my favorite drinks drinks including tasting flights, classic cocktails, composed drinks and more!
These cherry vanilla bitters are made with a whipping siphon infusion process and are a great way to add rich and deep undertones to your favorite cocktails whenever you want.
Grapefruit bitters are a versatile infusion that adds citrus notes as well as the classic aromatics. It provides a bright spark in martinis, mojitos and other drinks made of light spirits.
Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas by Brad Thomas Parsons is a great look at this now popular drink component. Whether you're a professional looking to take your game to the next level or a home bartender interested in homemade potables, Bitters has instructions on how to make your own bitters and recipes for customized blends.
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