Angostura bitters facts for kids

A bottle of Angostura aromatic bitters with its distinctive oversized label

Angostura bitters is a very strong herbal mix made from gentian, herbs, and spices. It's produced by a company called House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. People usually use it to add flavor to drinks, and sometimes to food.

The bitters were first made in a town called Angostura (which is now Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela). That's where the name comes from! Even though it's called "Angostura," it doesn't actually contain a specific tree bark called angostura bark. You can easily spot a bottle because it has a very large label that stands out. The word Angostura means "narrowing" in Spanish. This is because the town was located at the first narrow part of the Orinoco River.

Other companies also make products called "Angostura Bitter." Unlike the original Angostura product, these other brands might include angostura bark. They probably do this to explain why they use the name "angostura."

History of Angostura Bitters

Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria is shown on the label, because Angostura won a medal at the 1873 World Fair in Vienna.

The special recipe for Angostura bitters was created by a German surgeon named Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert [de]. He was a doctor in Simón Bolívar's army in Venezuela. Siegert first started selling his tonic in 1824. He then set up a place to make it in 1830.

Siegert lived in the town of Angostura. He used plants and ingredients that were found locally. He might have even learned about these plants from the local native people. The product began to be sold in other countries starting in 1853. In 1875, the company moved its production from Ciudad Bolivar to Port of Spain, Trinidad. It has been made there ever since.

Angostura bitters won an award at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair. You can still see this medal pictured on the large label of the bottle today. The other side of the medal shows Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

The exact recipe for Angostura bitters is a very closely kept secret. Only one person in the family knows the full recipe at any time.

Since 2007, the Angostura company has also made "Angostura Orange." This is a different kind of bitters with a fresh orange flavor. However, it hasn't become as popular as their original aromatic bitters. The original bitters are a key ingredient for many bars and people at home.

In 2009, there was a time when Angostura bitters was hard to find. The company said the main reason was a shortage of bottles. Some people thought production had stopped, but this was not true. The shortage was talked about a lot in news articles and blogs, especially by people who make drinks.

How Angostura Bitters Is Used

Angostura bitters is very strong and concentrated. It might be something you learn to like over time. People don't usually drink it plain. Instead, they use tiny amounts to add flavor.

Traditional Uses of Bitters

Some people believe Angostura bitters has properties that can help you feel better. People sometimes mistakenly think it's poisonous. This is because it sounds like "angostura bark," which was sometimes mixed with harmful barks in the past. However, Angostura bitters does not contain angostura bark and is not poisonous.

In Trinidad, people still often use Angostura bitters to help with stomach problems. They believe that an ingredient called gentian might help with digestion.

Angostura Bitters in Drinks

Angostura bitters is an important ingredient in many different drinks. It was first used to help soldiers in Simón Bolívar's army with upset stomachs. Later, it became popular when mixed with soda water and gin. This mix led to a drink called a pink gin.

It's also used in many other drinks. For example, a "long vodka" is made with vodka, bitters, and lemonade. In the United States, it's well-known for its use in whiskey-based drinks. These include "old fashioneds" and "Manhattans."

In a "pisco sour," a few drops are sprinkled on top of the foam. This adds both a nice smell and decoration. For a "champagne cocktail," a few drops of bitters are added to a sugar cube.

The "Trinidad sour" is a unique drink. In this drink, Angostura bitters is the main liquid, not just a flavoring. It's mixed with orgeat syrup, rye whiskey, and fresh lemon juice.

In Hong Kong, Angostura bitters is part of a local drink called a "gunner". Sometimes, bartenders add a few drops to a "mojito" for extra flavor. Bitters can also be used in non-alcoholic drinks. A popular drink in Australia and New Zealand is "lemon, lime and bitters". In Malawi, and other countries, bitters is added to crushed ice, ginger ale, and Sprite to make a "rock shandy".

The place that sells the most Angostura bitters in the world is Nelsen's Hall Bitters Pub. It's located on Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin. This pub started selling small servings of bitters as a "stomach tonic" during a time when alcohol was not allowed. They had a special license for it. This tradition helped the pub become the oldest continuously open tavern in Wisconsin. Even after the rules changed, they kept selling bitters. As of 2018, the pub has a "Bitters Club." They also use bitters in their food menu. They sell over 10,000 servings of bitters each year.

Popular Drinks with Angostura Bitters

See Also

In Spanish: Amargo de Angostura para niños

• Gentian
• Meinhard's Bitters
• Peychaud's Bitters