Citrus Bitters

How are Citrus Bitters made?

Citrus bitters start with high-proof neutral grain spirit that's infused with dried citrus peels—think orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit—along with complementary botanicals like gentian root, cinchona bark, or spices. The peels and aromatics steep in the alcohol for weeks or even months, extracting essential oils and bitter compounds through maceration. After straining out the solids, the concentrated liquid is often aged briefly to mellow before being diluted to bottling strength, typically around 35-45% ABV.

How do you drink Citrus Bitters?

Citrus bitters are never consumed neat or on the rocks—they're an ingredient, not a standalone drink, designed to add complexity and brightness to cocktails with just a few dashes. You'll find them working their magic in classic whiskey cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, where they balance sweetness and add aromatic depth, as well as in gin-based drinks where their citrus notes complement botanical flavors. These versatile bitters shine year-round but are particularly wonderful in spring and summer cocktails when their fresh, zesty character pairs beautifully with lighter spirits and seasonal ingredients.

How do I choose good Citrus Bitters?

Start by considering which citrus profile matches your cocktail's personality - bright orange bitters work beautifully in whiskey sours and old fashioneds, while lemon bitters add sharp complexity to gin-based drinks, and grapefruit bitters bring a sophisticated edge to mezcal cocktails. Quality citrus bitters should smell vibrant and fresh rather than artificial or overly sweet, so give them a good sniff before buying. Your cocktail's base spirit matters too: lighter spirits like vodka and gin pair well with lemon or lime bitters, while darker spirits like bourbon and rum can handle the bolder flavors of orange or blood orange varieties.

Nutritional Information

Typical Calorie Range per Ounce: 8-15 calories

Typical Carbohydrate Range per Ounce: 1-3 grams

Typical Sugar Range per Ounce: 0-2 grams

Typically Gluten Free: Yes

Most citrus bitters are made from citrus peels, herbs, spices, and high-proof alcohol, making them naturally gluten-free. The minimal calories come primarily from the small amount of residual sugars and botanical extracts. Since you're typically using just a few dashes (about 1/8 teaspoon) in cocktails, the actual nutritional impact per drink is negligible.

Always check the detailed product information and ingredient list to confirm gluten-free status, especially if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, as manufacturing processes and specific ingredients can vary between brands.

Scrolled this far? Your reward? Citrus Bitters Trivia!

1. The original Angostura Orange Bitters recipe was actually lost for nearly 50 years. When the company tried to recreate it in the 1990s, they had to reverse-engineer their own product from old bottles, essentially becoming archaeological detectives of their own flavor profile. The "new" version they released might not even taste exactly like the original.
2. Citrus bitters contain virtually no citrus juice whatsoever. Instead, they're made from the bitter white pith and aromatic oils found in citrus peels, which explains why they add complexity without making your cocktail taste like lemonade. The peels are dried, sometimes for months, before being macerated in high-proof alcohol.
3. During Prohibition, citrus bitters were sold as "stomach medicine" in pharmacies, making them one of the few legal ways to add boozy complexity to your drinks. Some enterprising bartenders would create elaborate "medicinal" cocktails, claiming the bitters aided digestion while secretly crafting delicious libations.
4. A single dash of citrus bitters contains approximately 44% alcohol by volume, but you're only using about 1/8 teaspoon. That tiny amount packs the aromatic punch equivalent to what you'd get from muddling an entire orange peel, thanks to the concentrated essential oils extracted during production.
5. The famous "Trinidad Sour" cocktail uses a full ounce of Angostura bitters as the base spirit rather than just a few dashes. Created by bartender Giuseppe Gonzalez, this drink proved that bitters could star as the main ingredient, not just play a supporting role. It tastes nothing like you'd expect and has inspired a whole category of bitters-forward cocktails.