Kräuter Bitter Essence 20 ml

Kräuter Bitter Essence 20 ml

After a truly good, rich dinner there is one glass that does more good than any other: the herbal bitter. The tradition of rounding off a meal with a small, dark and potent measure of herbs and roots goes back hundreds of years, and it lives on for one simple reason – it feels good. Kräuter Bitter gives you the uncompromising version: dark, dry and seriously bitter, for those who think bitterness is a thing of beauty.

Herbal bitters belong to the family of drinks where the recipe traditionally builds on dozens of plants – roots, leaves, seeds and pieces of bark, each contributing a nuance of its own. That explains the almost impenetrable complexity, where you discover new flavours in every little sip.

Colour & Appearance

The drink is dark brown, almost like strong coffee, with a warm mahogany tint at the rim of the glass. It looks every bit as serious as it tastes.

Nose

The nose is medicine cabinet and herb garden in one. Wormwood and gentian dominate with their dry, rooty bitterness, while anise, fennel and liquorice root add sweeter tones. Clove, cinnamon and a touch of camphor push through, together with dried citrus peel and a dark, almost tar-like depth.

Palate

The palate is a punch to the taste buds – in the best possible way. The bitterness arrives at once, clean and powerful, carried by wormwood and gentian root. Then the spices spread out: clove, star anise, ginger and black pepper, followed by liquorice and a faint sweetness that is just enough to hold everything together. Mint and eucalyptus add a cool note at the end. This is a drink to sip slowly, in very small mouthfuls.

Finish

The finish is very long, dry and warming. Wormwood and roots linger for several minutes, and a pleasant warmth spreads through the stomach – the very effect that has made the style such a favourite after meals.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit and can be enjoyed straight away. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished spirit. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Neat in a small glass after a rich dinner.
• As a bitter dram with pickled or smoked fish and the Christmas table.
• With tonic and lemon for an austere, bitter long drink.
• A few dashes in cocktails in place of bitters.
• In hot water with honey on a chilly evening.

About the Essence

Kräuter Bitter is the essence for connoisseurs who do not shy away from powerful flavours. It is one of the real characters in our range, with a small but fiercely loyal following.

Serve it in small glasses; two to three centilitres is plenty. Room temperature gives the most flavour, but anyone wishing to soften the bitterness a touch can chill the bottle lightly. The bitter also makes an excellent flavour enhancer in cocktails – a few dashes lend depth and structure to whiskey and gin drinks alike.