One of my favorite ways of turning a simple mocktail into a tasty, complex drink is by adding a dash or two of bitters. While a few dashes of bitters won’t turn a mocktail into an alcoholic cocktail, I prefer using non-alcoholic bitter when possible.
While non-alcoholic bitters are much harder to come by than any other non-alcoholic drink, I have found two brands creating specially crafted non-alcoholic bitters. Here are the seven best non-alcoholic bitters for cocktails – such as Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or a Margarita.
Do bitters always have alcohol?
While most bitters are made using alcohol as their base and contain between 35% to 47% alcohol, alcohol-free bitters do exist! These non-alcoholic bitters are made using glycerin or vinegar instead of alcohol as the base solution, and the solutions are infused with botanicals, fruits, and herbs to give them taste.
Right now, only a few brands create non-alcoholic bitters so you are more likely to find alcoholic bitters than non-alcoholic bitters.
That said, using bitters with alcohol won’t turn a drink alcoholic. Since you’re only using a dash or two for each cocktail, it will keep the alcohol level around 0.5% ABV or less than 1% ABV.
Also Read: Can You Use Bitters When Pregnant?
Best Non-Alcoholic Bitters For Cocktails
All The Bitter – New Orleans Bitters
Liven up your cocktails with the New Orlean Bitters from All The Bitter. It is inspired by the 19th-century apothecary Antoine Peychaud, NOLA, and American cocktail culture, and each dash of bitters is packed with bright notes of anise, tart cherry, hibiscus, and rosehips.
Use a drop or two in a Sazerac mocktail or be adventurous and add some in a seltzer, tonic, beer, or even your favorite alcohol-free red wine.
Order directly from All The Bitter (within the United States).
DRAM – Black Bitters
Made in Salida, Colorado, using organic cardamom, blackcurrants, hawthorn berry, and fair trade black tea, DRAM’s Black Bitters pairs well with classics like Old Fashioned or Manhattan or citrus-based drinks like Margaritas.
Founders Shae and Brady launched DRAM in 2011 with a line of herbal bitters, teas, and syrups, and today they still craft each DRAM product from scratch.
Order directly from DRAM Apothecary (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Aromatic Bitters
All The Bitter – Aromatic Bitters
Craving a rich, earthy dimension in your timeless libations such as the Old Fashioned or Manhattan? Look no further than the All The Bitter’s Aromatic Bitters. This non-alcoholic bitters showcases the earthy combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, masterfully complemented by ginger and the unmistakable essence of bitter gentian.
Add this to the classic bitters and soda combination, or take your taste buds on an adventure by infusing a dash or two into mixers like tonic or ginger beer, amplifying their character with an enticing kick. For a unique twist, we recommend enhancing your favorite non-alcoholic beer with these bitters to give it a unique spice infusion.
Order directly from All The Bitter (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Citrus Bitters
All The Bitter – Orange Bitters
Add a zesty citrus touch to non-alcoholic gin martinis, negronis, and margaritas with All The Bitter Orange Bitters. It is made from three varieties of orange peel, cardamom, coriander, and lemon balm, resulting in a warm citrus and herbal profile.
Besides adding to non-alcoholic mocktails, we recommend adding a dash or two to non-alcoholic wheat beers too!
Order directly from All The Bitter (within the United States).
DRAM – Citrus Bitters
These non-alcoholic citrus bitters from DRAM are made with citrus rinds, orange blossom water, hibiscus petals, and lemon salt. It adds a bright and lively citrus note with a soft floral undertone.
Use a dash or two with non-alcoholic mezcal or non-alcoholic gin to give your drink a feeling of a warm summer day in a citrus grove.
Order directly from DRAM Apothecary (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Herbal Bitters
All The Bitter – Lavender Bitters
Expertly made using lavender sourced from local organic farms, alongside a blend of chamomile, rose petals, and a harmonious selection of soothing herbs and adaptogens such as ashwagandha, skullcap, and passionflower, these lavender bitters from All The Bitter offer a serene touch to your mocktails.
All The Bitter’s lavender bitters have a delightful floral, grassy, and subtly bitter taste. We like adding lavender bitters to non-alcoholic gin cocktails, or experiment by combining it with soda water for a refreshing botanical seltzer.
Order directly from All The Bitter (within the United States).
DRAM – Lavender Lemon Balm Bitters
Each dash adds a floral lavender note with a hint of bitter citrus. Made using Colorado-grown lavender flowers and lemon balm, we like adding these to our mocktails, non-alcoholic spirits, or even a cup of tea.
Order directly from DRAM Apothecary (within the United States).