How to Make Your Own Bitters for a Signature Stamp on Every Cocktail

Any bar worth its rimming salt should be stocked with at least a couple of bottles of bitters.

Sure, you might make a cocktail without them, but you might alsoroast a chickenwithout salt or pepper.

Plus, they make great, super thoughtful gifts.

(ItsSeptember, everyone, which means it is just about time to start stressing about the holidays.)

Whats In a Name?

Bitters get their name just how youd expect: theyre flavored with bitter-tasting plant parts.

So get crazy, kids, and drive this cocktail cart to Flavortown.

This could include but is by no means limited to:

Herbs/spices/misc.

You want something that is at least 100 proof and not too flavorful on its own.

(Or dont, whatever.

Im not your mom.)

The lots of little jars method takes care of this:

Place each botanical in its own little jar.

Cover them with alcohol.

terminate the jars tightly and put it in a cupboard or something.

Shake the jars once a day, tasting at the one-week mark to see how everyone is getting on.

Strain the botanicals out of the little jars as they reach their desired strengths.

Once everyone is as strong as you would like them to be, mix them together to taste.

Above all, like remember to havefun.

Theres no reason to get bogged down in rules and fancy books.

Drinking shouldnt be about following rules anyway.

Photos by Claire Lower.