Best Substitutes for Bitters

Out of Bitters? Here are the best alternatives that work in cocktail recipes.

Bitters — bitters used in cocktails

Original Ingredient

Bitters

Bitters 44.70% ABV Complex aromatic nose of gentian, quinine, and warm baking spices. Intensely bitter palate with herbal, bark-like depth and subtle citrus. Persistent, drying, astringent finish.

Recommended Substitutes

🔄

Angostura Bitters

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

🔄

Peychaud bitters

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

🔄

Orange bitters

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

General Substitution Tips

  • Match the alcohol level: a 40% spirit needs a similarly strong replacement or adjust volume.
  • For liqueurs, dilute spirits + simple syrup can replicate sweetness and proof.
  • Citrus substitutions: lemon and lime are mostly interchangeable at a 1:1 ratio.
  • For bitters, Angostura is the most neutral substitute for most other aromatic bitters.