Bitters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of concentrated herbal mixture used to add flavor and complexity to cocktails
2. A preparation made from various bitter herbs and roots, often used for medicinal purposes
3. A flavor profile characterized by a sharp, slightly astringent taste, commonly found in certain beverages and foods

Etymology: "Bitters" is simply the plural of "bitter," which is a plain, transparent word: it comes from Old English "bitter" and ultimately from the Germanic root that gave the verb "bite." The "-er" ending is an old suffix, so the word is literally a thing that bites, and the same pattern is found in other Germanic languages, where cognates such as Dutch "bitter" and German "bitter" carry the same sense. The plural form used for the drink-like preparation is the one that has taken on a specialised meaning. A bitters is a concentrated herbal or root extract, traditionally used as a medicine or stomach tonic, and it is usually taken in small amounts. Its name rests on the same taste that the adjective describes, so the medicinal sense grew straight out of the everyday word for a sharp, unpleasant flavour.

Synonyms: aperitifs, digestifs, tonics

Antonyms: sweeteners