5 Super Useful Bottles of Bitters You Should Absolutely Own

Though most bitters have been relegated to craft cocktail bars, Angostura has endured in all types of joints over the past two centuries—from dives to hotel and airport bars. The brand is a quintessential ingredient in classic and modern cocktails, and its famed (and secret) recipe has remained the same since 1824. Hell, you can even cook with them!

The Sazerac is only one way to showcase Peychaud’s particular flavor, which is sweet and anise-forward, rather than heavily herbal. Like Angostura, it’s incredibly versatile and a wonderful addition to cocktails, including the Vieux Carré and Spiced Rhubarb Gimlet. It also has a special way of sprucing up a boring glass of seltzer.

Also of note, Bitter Truth’s Creole Bitters appeared on the market in 2010. While styled after Peychaud’s, its noticeably less sweet and more herbal. If you already have a bottle of the stalwart Peychaud’s, give this newer take a try.

Aside from its traditional offering, Angostura also has its own version of orange bitters, which are lovely. Another fantastic orange bitter comes from veteran mixologist and cocktail guru Gary (aka Gaz) Regan. His Regan Orange Bitters No. 6—named for the number of attempts it took to perfect the recipe—are luscious and spicy.

Lastly are The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters. A solid brand all-around, this citrus flavor is one of its strongest offerings.

Now that your bitters arsenal is taking shape, it’s time to round it out with a couple of less classic bottles. Gin & Tonics practically beg for a little something extra. The first good option? Straightforward and juicy Scrappy’s Grapefruit Bitters.

The second, Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters, wields even more bitter power. Hops and grapefruit complement each other and lend themselves well to flavoring all kinds of drinks. Try them in an Old Fashioned or a Martini.

With the previous four bottles, you’ve got a sturdy grouping of bitters for any home bar. Plus, you’re now off to a great start to learning how to experiment with aromatics and seasoning cocktails. Once you’re sucked into this flavorful world, it may turn into an obsession. If you want to keep adding to your collection, there are literally dozens of brands of bitters on shelves now.

Two solid choices are The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters (a bit trickier to use, but a blast to experiment with) and Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters. Both pack impressive flavor and aroma and can hold their own in a cocktail.