DIY Bitters: Simple Recipes to Start With

Bitters may be used in drops, but their impact on cocktails is enormous. These highly concentrated infusions of herbs, roots, spices, and fruits are the seasoning agents of the bar — a dash here, a drop there, and suddenly your drink has complexity, balance, and character. While store-bought bitters like Angostura or Peychaud’s are staples, there’s something deeply rewarding (and surprisingly easy) about making your own.

Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or just love a good project, DIY bitters are a simple way to customize your cocktails, explore botanical flavors, and make your home bar feel truly personal.

Why Make Your Own Bitters?

Creating bitters at home gives you full control over ingredients, flavor intensity, and style. You can craft unique combinations tailored to your favorite spirits — spicy bitters for bourbon, citrus-forward blends for gin, or floral ones for vodka.

Plus, DIY bitters are incredibly cost-effective. A single batch can last months and can even double as a thoughtful homemade gift.

And if you’re looking to explore more creative cocktail elements, check out our guide to homemade infusions and syrups, where you’ll find even more ways to personalize your drinks.

The Basics of Bitters: What You Need

Bitters are essentially an alcohol-based extraction of flavorful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

1. A High-Proof Spirit

Use a neutral, high-proof alcohol like Everclear or overproof vodka as your base. Aim for at least 50% ABV to ensure strong extraction.

2. Bittering Agents

These are the backbone of your bitters. Common options include gentian root, wormwood, quassia bark, or dandelion root. You can buy these dried at herbal shops or online.

3. Flavoring Agents

This is where the fun begins — think citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, dried cherries, lavender, coffee beans, cacao nibs, or ginger. You can go classic or get wildly creative.

4. Time

Most bitters take 2 to 4 weeks to fully extract. You’ll need to shake the jar daily and taste occasionally.

5. A Fine Strainer & Dropper Bottles

Once your bitters are ready, you’ll strain out the solids and bottle the liquid for use.

Starter Recipes: Easy and Effective

Here are a few beginner-friendly DIY bitters recipes you can make at home:

Citrus Bitters

Bright and versatile — perfect for gin, vodka, or tequila cocktails.

Zest of 2 oranges

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cardamom pods

1 tsp gentian root

1 cup high-proof vodka

Steep all ingredients in a sealed jar for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and store in a dropper bottle.

Spiced Cocoa Bitters

Great for bourbon, aged rum, or dessert cocktails.

2 tbsp cacao nibs

1 cinnamon stick

3 cloves

1 tsp dried orange peel

1 tsp gentian root

1 cup overproof vodka

Let steep for 3–4 weeks. The result is warm, rich, and complex.

Coffee & Vanilla Bitters

Adds depth and roastiness to dark spirits or espresso martinis.

1 tbsp crushed coffee beans

1 vanilla bean (split)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp dandelion root

1 cup vodka or dark rum

Steep for 2–3 weeks. This one is especially good in Old Fashioneds.

Tips for Success

Use glass containers to avoid any unwanted flavor transfer.

Label your jars with the date and ingredients. Trust us — you’ll forget.

Taste regularly. Start tasting after 10 days to decide if you want a longer infusion.

Once strained, you can add a splash of water or glycerin to round off sharp edges.

Your Signature, in a Drop

Making bitters is like crafting perfume for your cocktails — a concentrated essence that tells a story in just a few drops. Whether you're after floral notes, earthy bitterness, or bold spice, the DIY approach gives you endless room to explore.

So next time you mix a Manhattan or brighten a G&T, do it with your own handcrafted bitters. Your cocktail game will never be the same.