Before Prohibition, a cocktail wasn’t a cocktail without bitters. But for many years, bitters were forgotten and Angostura was about the only brand you could find, and even that bottle would’ve been covered in dust. Now bitters are back, thanks in large part to the revival of classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan.

What Are Bitters?
Bitters are a relatively small player in the overall content of a cocktail, yet just a few drops of bitters make a liquor concoction far more interesting, adding complexity and balance while drawing out the other flavors in the drink. Bitters are generally a concentrated high-proof alcohol base infused with herbs, roots, barks, spices and sometimes fruits. They began as a medicinal substance in Europe consumed by the glass, but became part of the cocktail menu in the early 19th century. Only a few dashes are needed in any drink, but…