Bitter

Bitters (Amaro in Italian, or Amers in French) are liqueurs produced by the infusion of a distilled spirit with numerous ingredients, selected for their medicinal properties and their bitter flavour: gentian, cinchona, bitter almond, bitter orange, the bark of certain trees and the skin of certain fruit, rhubarb, etc. Higher in alcohol than vermouths and aperitifs (both wine-based), bitters have very similar flavours and origins. They can be consumed neat, on ice, or mixed with a little water or fruit juice. They are becoming increasingly popular as a cocktail ingredient.