DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavor

“Gorgeously photographed and beautifully written . . . It will inspire one to create bitter plant potions to benefit health and vitality.” —Brigitte Mars, author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies

Used since the Middle Ages, bitters are made by combining various plant botanicals and/or spices with 100-proof alcohol and letting them sit until the bitter and medicinal qualities have been extracted. Just a small amount of the resulting liquid can then be used to stimulate the digestive system and promote healthy digestion. This is why “apertifs” and “digestifs” are so popular—both then and now!

DIY Bitters is a how-to guide that explores the history and health benefits of bitters, and shows you how to make your own bitters at home, to be used alone or in cocktails, tonics, and even main meals.

Herbalists Jovial King and Guido Masé, owners of the bitters company Urban Moonshine, teach you how to make recipes for classic bitters like orange and angostura, or explore more innovative bitters like elderflower-echinacea-honey and chocolate love tonic. You can even find a guide for creating your own unique flavors from the plants and ingredients you have on hand.

Whether enjoyed as an apertif, digestif, or as a remedy to settle an upset stomach, bitters are back!

“Whether you are new to the idea of imbibing bitters daily for its many benefits, or a longtime fan, DIY Bitters will take you to a new level of appreciation. Jovial and Guido’s book is by far the best book on the joys of bitters for digestive and immune health and so much more.” —Christopher Hobbs, PhD, author of Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms