Introduction

If you’re into cocktails, it’s hard to not have come chocolate bitters, those magical bottles at the back of every bar. While classics like Angostura and orange bitters are rampant in many recipes, a new star is silently changing the game: chocolate bitters. Rich and complex, chocolate bitters have become a secret ingredient for elevating drinks and even culinary concoctions. Furthermore, it is surprisingly versatile.

In this comprehensive guide to chocolate bitters, we will uncover what they are, how they are made, their uses, and most importantly, their necessity for every home bartender and flavor enthusiast.

What Are Chocolate Bitters?

Chocolate bitters are a type of cocktail bitters made with cacao beans or cacao nibs along with a blend of botanicals like spices, roots, and herbs. While the primary note is that of chocolate, the overall flavor profile is often more complex with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, orange peel or even coffee depending on the brand or recipe.

As their name suggests, chocolate bitters do not contain sweet elements. Instead, the possess intense aromas and a deep level of bitterness which amplifies the flavor profile of the drink. Think of them like seasoning for cocktails – a few drops can radically alter the drink's depth and intrigue.

The Development of Bitters Alongside Chocolate Variants

Bitters hail from ancient apothecary shops where they served a medicinal purpose. By the 1800s, bitters were a staple ingredient in cocktails. The first cocktail recipes defined a cocktail as “spirits, sugar, water, and bitters.”

Chocolate bitters are more recent in comparison because of the rise in the craft cocktail movement during the 2000s. Bartenders, along with artisanal producers cherished the idea of using unique ingredients and cacao certainly made the cut. The deep complexity of chocolate blends effortlessly with dark spirits, thus making it an ideal ingredient for both traditional and modern drinks.

What is the process of making these chocolate bitters?

Like most bitters, the process of making chocolate bitters requires the following steps:

Base Alcohol: To extract flavors out of botanicals, high-proof neutral spirits are used such as grain alcohol.

Botanical Blend: The heart of chocolate bitters is, of course, cacao, but is typically combined with other elements like several dried fruits, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, all-spice, bitter roots like gentian or quassia, and even citrus peels.

Maceration: The mix is steeped into the alcohol base for several weeks to capture the full scope of flavor.

Straining and Bottling: After maceration, the mixture is strained; at times, water or caramel are added to achieve equilibrium before it is bottled.

Many retailers sell their different takes on chocolate bitters, but you can also prepare them at home.

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Popular Brands of Chocolate Bitters

Artisanal and commercial brands have been offering chocolate bitters and they are of exceptionally high quality. Some of the most popular include:

Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters: Bold with spice and heat, these are best used for whiskey cocktails.

Scrappy’s Chocolate Bitters: Known to have a much softer, balanced chocolate taste. Best used in cocktails and desserts.

Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters: These bitters blend chocolate with cinnamon, spice, and bitterness, inspired by Mexican mole sauce.

How to Use Chocolate Bitters in Cocktails

With its numerous uses, chocolate bitters can be added to and enhance a wide selection of cocktails. Below are some examples:

Old Fashioned with a Twist

In an Old Fashioned, instead of normal bitters, use chocolate bitters. It offers a richer, desserty type taste and goes great with bourbon or rye.

Chocolate Manhattan

Use your usual Manhattan recipe and add two dashes of chocolate bitters. Doing so adds nuance and sophistication.

Espresso Martini Reinvented

Transform your espresso martini experience by a adding dash of chocolate bitters for a stronger kick. This adds flavor without any sweetness.

Cocoa Negroni

Aneixo the flaming negroni and instead of orange bitters use chocolate ones for a drink that creates a bitter sweetness for the more daring fans.

Hot Chocolate Cocktail

Now this one’s for the adults. Stir in chocolate bitters and enjoy over warm hot chocolate with dark rum or whiskey.

Pairing Suggestions

• Chocolate bitters aren't just useful for cocktails.
• Add a drop or two into whipped cream, chocolate mousse or brownies of your party to amplify the taste of chocolate without adding sugar.
• Anyone for coffee or espresso take these chocolates!
• Use plain club soda. This smooth non-alcholic drink is surprisingly good.

Tips for Using Chocolate Bitters

• Add value by starting off small.
• You may want to give it a try in savory culinary preparations. A sprinkle in chili or mole sauce works wonders.

Bitters, particularly chocolate bitters, may not be the most recognized item in a cocktail kit, but their impact is undeniable. Chocolate bitters deserve a place in your bar due to their versatility, and the bold flavors they add on spearheading richness in dark spirits, to enhancing desserts and even coffee drinks which simply cannot be replicated with any other ingredient.

Conclusion

Investing in a quality bottle of bitters, especially chocolate bitters, opens the door to endless creative possibilities, whether one is a bartender or a home mixologist. These bitsers can take your cocktails to new heights and it’s time to move beyond plain and basic.