Mocktails - Angostura Bitters

MaeMB

I am brand new to this site and to pregnancy! I am about 5 weeks along and my husband and I couldn't be happier. 

Since finding out we have been doing some research about mocktails that I can enjoy for the next 8.5 months. A lot of the recipes for "non-alcoholic cocktails" call for a few drops of Angostura Bitters . When I looked it up I found that bitters have 44% alcohol! I guess a few drops would be a minuscule amount - but I am still hesitant. Any thoughts?   

cschembera

I wouldn't do it. That's just my personal opinion though. I don't think any amount of alcohol is good. I know that some doctors will tell you that it's okay to have a glass every once in a while, but why take the chance?

avalovesart

I'm not sure I've had Angostura Bitters in any drinks before....but would it really change the taste to just not use it? It seems like it wouldn't make that much of a difference, so I'd probably avoid it.

jfischer1115

From what I've learned in previous bar tending jobs, bitters are used to enhance the flavor of a drink.  It's like using salt in food to bring out flavor.  Generally it's just a dash of bitters in the recipe. If you're not comfortable drinking the small amount of alcohol, I don't think it would be detrimental to the flavor of the drink, aside from being a little more bland.

MrsMincks

I'm a bartender - I can tell you that any good cocktail using bitters won't use more than a drop or two! I made myself a fake version of an Old Fashioned - my favorite cocktail - using muddled cherries and oranges, sugar, two drops of bitters, and ginger ale instead of soda. You can go without the bitters, of course, but they help make it so you feel like you're having a big girl drink :-)

mben1119

Just the few drops of bitters you would need will be fine.  It's like eating food cooked with wines. 

MaeMB

Thanks ladies!