Non-Alcoholic Bitters Guide: What They Are and How to Use Them

Non-alcoholic bitters replace the high-proof spirit base with glycerin, vinegar, or water-based extraction methods. The result is a concentrated botanical flavoring with zero or negligible alcohol content. They allow people who avoid alcohol to add the same complexity and depth to their drinks that traditional bitters provide to cocktails.

Instead of macerating botanicals in neutral spirit, non-alcoholic bitters use vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the extraction medium. Glycerin-based bitters tend to be slightly sweeter and thicker. Vinegar-based versions have a sharper edge. Some producers use a hybrid approach or water-based extraction with heat. The botanical ingredients are the same as traditional bitters.

Absolutely. Non-alcoholic bitters are specifically designed for this purpose. A few dashes of aromatic non-alcoholic bitters in a virgin Old Fashioned with simple syrup and soda water creates a surprisingly satisfying drink. They also work in shrubs, sodas, sparkling water, and any non-alcoholic cocktail that needs aromatic depth.

Yes. A traditional aromatic bitters is usually around 44% alcohol by volume, on a par with a spirit. The category is wider than that reputation suggests: Fee Brothers bottles its aromatic at 17.5% and Angostura Orange sits at 28%. However, because they are used in such small quantities (a few dashes per drink), the actual alcohol contribution to a cocktail is minimal. That said, for people who strictly avoid all alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons, non-alcoholic bitters are the appropriate choice.