Feeling Bitter About Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love with friends, family, and significant others. But not everyone may be in the mood to celebrate.  In recent years throwing an “anti-valentines” party with a group of friends has become new fun-filled tradition. Even happily romantic couples enjoy the anti-festivities as they renounce the pressure of Valentine’s Day expectations!

No matter what your love-life status this Valentine’s Day, here are some “bitters” you can feel good about!

Bitters add a little unique twist to your drink. They’re liquors infused with herbs, roots, fruits and leaves which produce a sharp, pungent taste. Bitters are used as a key ingredient in many delicious cocktails.

Instead of doing what everyone else will do and purchasing pre-made bitters, here is an opportunity to shine and bring out your more creative side. Make your own bitters! We’ve saved you some trouble and found a homemade recipe for you to follow:

Supplies & Ingredients you will need:

• Two to 1-5-quart Jars
• Cheesecloth
• High-proof spirit (80+ proof & typically vodka or whiskey)
• Roots, herbs, spices and other flavorings

*TIP* Take time to consider the purpose of your bitters when choosing the spirit for your base. If you desire a lighter, fruiter cocktail, use vodka. Drinks such as Manhattans and other whiskey/rum drinks, require a darker spirit as the base.

Not only can you use bitters in cocktails, they also go nicely in a scoop of ice-cream.

Note: Making bitters can take up to 25 days, depending on the recipe

Angostura Bitters Recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp dried orange peel
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/4 cup sour cherries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean- seeds scraped
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 cup quassia chips
• 2 juniper berries
• 1/8 tsp cocoa nibs
• pinch of black walnut leaf
• 1/2 tsp cassia chips
• 1/4 tsp wild cherry bark
• 1/4 tsp orris root

Rich Syrup:

• 2 cups turbinado sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water

Base:

• 2+ cups of your base liquor (must be high proof)

Equipment:

• 5 (1) quart mason jars
• Cheesecloth
• 2 funnels- one small, one large
• 12  1oz Boston round bottle w/ dropper
• Most of the spices and herbs can be found online at Star West Botanicals  & Mountain Rose Herbs.

Directions: 

• Prep Ingredients & Start Batch
• Strain the liquid 
• Boil the solids
• Make the Rich Syrup, strain, and combine 
• Skim excess and strain
• Bottle your bitters
• Share with close friends