It’s possible that you’ve observed that every well-stocked bar has at least one bottle of bitters, and that realisation may have made you consider buying a bottle for your own collection.
But what exactly are bitters, and how can one go about storing them properly?
Should bitters always be stored in the refrigerator? Bitters are liqueurs that are produced by combining a powerful alcoholic spirit with various natural flavourings. Due to the significant amount of alcohol that is included in bitters, it is not necessary to store them in the refrigerator since they may be kept on the shelf at room temperature. Once the bottle of bitters has been opened, it should be stored in an upright posture in a location that is cold and dark.
Bitters are a great ingredient, and if you’ve recently extended your repertoire of cocktail recipes to include ones that call for bitters, keep reading to learn how to store this delectable component so that it stays in the best possible condition.
What Exactly Are the Bitters?
Bitters are one of those goods that we often purchase for a one-time occasion, and then we inevitably consign them to the darkest recesses of the pantry, where they remain untouched for the rest of their lives.
However, it is about time that this adaptable and tasty item was given the appropriate appreciation it deserves since it can be used in a far wider variety of contexts than you may at first imagine.
Bitters are a kind of powerful alcoholic liquor that is flavoured with botanical ingredients such as fruit, herbs, spices, leaves, bark, and roots. Bitters are often used in cocktails.
However, due to the fact that it is more usually offered and used as a flavouring, this alcoholic infusion is not typically sold alongside other types of alcoholic beverages like wine and spirits.
The botanical flavourings that go into bitters may range greatly, but the final combination is often chosen not just for the intensity of taste but also for the aromatic qualities it has.
Because of the potency of the infusion, drinking bitters straight would need a significant amount of fortitude. On the other hand, they may be used in a variety of different ways around the house. Let’s study a couple of them together, shall we?
Incorporating Bitters Into Mixed Drinks
Bitters are often used in mixed drinks like cocktails because of their capacity to impart a new taste and aroma to beverages.
Bitters are often added to drinks because most cocktails are built on a mix of sweet and sour tastes, and the use of bitters is meant to bring these two flavours into harmony with one another. They not only provide a scent that is extremely true to nature but also make the beverage’s taste profile more nuanced.
Bitters are an essential component in a number of popular mixed beverages, including the Manhattan, which is often considered to be the world’s most celebrated cocktail.
Bitters as an Ingredient in Cooking
Bitters may also be used in the kitchen, and some of the most well-known kinds, like Angostura, are designed specifically for this purpose. Bread, soup, and marinades all benefit from their inclusion, and you may even put them to use in sweet baked items.
Because they provide a taste that is both rich and caramelised, some bitters are especially suited for use as a glaze over meat or vegetables.
Bitters have a really concentrated flavour, so just a little amount goes a very long way when you’re using them in the kitchen.
A rich stock often only needs a drop or two of bitters to drastically alter the taste, and a teaspoon of bitters should be more than enough for a batch of marinade.
Utilization of Bitters Within Herbal Medicine
It is interesting to note that the ancient Egyptians were the first people to make use of bitters. They did this by infusing wine with medicinal plants in order to produce herbal cures.
Although they are not often used in this manner today due to the high alcohol level of the bitters, it is possible that you have already drunk a kind of therapeutic bitter without even recognising it.
The explanation for this is that the process that is used in the production of bitters is also utilised in the production of several digestive drinks that are consumed after supper.
Some of the alcoholic beverages that are currently routinely seen on the menu of a bar, such as Jagermeister, Campari, and Aperol, are really digestifs or digestive bitters that were historically used after a hearty meal.
What Constitutes the Ingredients of Bitters?
The traditional method for producing bitters involves steeping a clear alcoholic spirit, which is often produced from grains, with various botanical ingredients.
Grain alcohol is often rather potent, which amplifies the taste of botanical ingredients when it is used in a beverage. Because the spirit has no discernible taste of its own, the botanical flavourings may be enjoyed to their full potential.
But where exactly does the sour component come into play? Bitters, also known as bittering agents, often include some sort of root in their composition. Roots of dandelion or angelica are often employed for this purpose; however, liquorice, burdock, and the roots of a great many other plants may also be used.
Bitters are made from a variety of substances, some of which are ones that you probably wouldn’t expect to see in your typical alcoholic beverage.
These include the peel of citrus fruits, the bark of woody plants like cassia and cinchona, and woodsy, full-flavoured spices like cinnamon, cloves, and lemongrass.
Should Bitters Be Kept Cold In The Refrigerator?
If you are new to the world of preparing cocktails, you will quickly learn that there are some components that you will only use occasionally, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still an important part of your arsenal of cocktail-making tools!
You may begin with the fundamentals, but before you know it, you’ll be shelling out extra cash for less common components and flavourings like simple syrup, grenadine, and bitters.
Because bitters are so concentrated, just a little amount goes a very long way when you use them. Because of this, a single bottle may endure for many months or even years; thus, you will need to store it in optimum circumstances in order to ensure that it maintains its quality.
Therefore, should bitters be stored in the refrigerator?
Bitters do not need any special storage conditions and may be stored at room temperature. Bitters have such a high percentage of alcohol in their composition that they also serve as a preservative. Because of this, bitters do not need to be refrigerated in order to maintain their pleasantly potent taste.
It is quite unlikely that you will come across a bottle of bitters that requires refrigeration. The majority of bitters bottles will specify on the label that they may be kept at room temperature, both before and after the bottle has been opened.
Bitters: Do You Need To Store Them In The Refrigerator?
Don’t worry if you’ve already stored your bitters in the refrigerator; they’ll have a wonderful flavour even after being there for some time.
However, in the long run, it would be best to keep bitters at room temperature since the frigid temperatures in your refrigerator will not do the tastes of this alcohol infusion any favours. Bitters may be stored at room temperature by placing them in an airtight container.
What is the most effective method for storing bitters?
Bitters bottles, whether they have been opened or not, should be kept in an upright posture with the lid securely fastened on. This applies to both unopened and opened bottles.
Store them in a location that is cool, dark, and free from temperature swings. Also, keep them out of direct sunlight.
One of the issues that might occur with bitters is that the viscous liquid, which is similar to syrup, can occasionally accumulate around the pouring spout or around the neck of the container.
It is in your best interest to periodically wash the bottle off with a clean, damp cloth in order to avoid it from becoming sticky and causing untidy rings on your cocktail bar.
How Long Do Bitters Stay Fresh Once They’ve Been Opened?
Bitters have a very high alcohol content and may maintain their potency for a significant amount of time after being opened. Angostura Bitters, the most popular brand, has an alcohol content of around 90% proof, making it much stronger than the majority of other types of spirits.
Therefore, despite the fact that bitters include organic components in the form of botanicals, the alcohol concentration works as a preservative and ensures that the mixture may be stored at room temperature for a significant amount of time without spoiling.
Bitters have a shelf life of at least five years after being opened, during which time the taste of the botanicals may become more subdued and muffled. However, the bitters will continue to be excellent.
It is fortunate that they have such a long shelf life since you only need a very tiny quantity to impart taste, which means that a bottle of bitters may keep for a very long time.
Do Bitters Go Bad?
Bitters are made from a powerful alcoholic spirit, and just like any other liquor, they do not lose their potency with time. This delectable component may be stored for a very long period without losing its taste because of the alcohol, which serves as a disinfectant and a preservative.
Bitters, on the other hand, have a tendency to lose some of their bite and complexity with time, especially if the bottle has been exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
Bitters may still be consumed without risk, but you may discover that the flavour is not as satisfying as you had hoped for when you first try them.
Alterations in taste may also occur in the basic alcohol that is used to manufacture bitters as time passes. This does not necessarily imply that the bitters are inedible; rather, it is possible that you will not find the taste to be to your satisfaction.
This is true of any beverage that has a high percentage of alcohol, which gives you a wonderful reason not to keep opened bottles of spirits sitting about for too long on your cocktail bar; instead, have a cocktail party for your friends and use them up while they are still in their prime!