Something different to reflect upon on Valentine’s Day: cocoa bitters. Artisan chocolate bitters have been around for a while, but now category leader ANGOSTURA® has launched Cocoa Bitters. They join a lineup that includes the original Aromatic Bitters and Orange Bitters. And Cocoa Bitters are not just for cocktails.

Add them to your morning cup of coffee, iced coffee, hot chocolate, club soda, and cola, for starters.

ANGOSTURA Cocoa Bitters are made from one of the world’s finest cacao beans, Trinitario cacao beans from Trinidad and Tobago.

Along with Criollo and Forastero, Trinitario is one of the three species of cacao (check our Chocolate Glossary for definitions).

The top notes of Cocoa Bitters are rich bitter, floral, nutty cocoa with a bold infusion of aromatic botanicals.

In addition to the drinks noted above, the Cocoa Bitters flavors offer endless possibilities to remix classic cocktails (Espresso Martini, Manhattan, Negroni) and create new ones.

You can also use the bitters to put a spin on a main dish or a dessert.

There are two beverage recipes below. But first…
 
 
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH COCOA VS. CACAO?

Cocoa is a misspelling of cacao that appeared on a ship’s manifest in the 18th century. The cacao on the manifest referred to the beans, or seeds, from which chocolate and cocoa powder are made.

The mistake led to a broadscale replacement of the original word (cacao) with the erroneous one (cocoa) in the English language.

For clarity, THE NIBBLE uses the word cacao when referring to the beans, and cocoa when referring to cocoa powder or the drink made from it.

> The history of bitters.
 
 
RECIPE #1: COFFEE & BITTERS (photo #1)
 
Bitters perks up the flavor of hot and iced coffee, whether you drink it black or with milk and/or sugar.

You can use Aromatic Bitters and Orange Bitters in your coffee, too.

Ingredients For 1 Drink

 
Preparation

1. PREPARE your coffee as desired, black or with cream or milk. Add the bitters. Stir.
 
 
RECIPE #2: DASHER’S TODDY (photo #2)

If you’re making multiple portions, pour everything into a large format heat-proof container or thermal carafe and pour out for each guest
 
Ingredients For 1 Drink

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE all ingredients in a heat-proof mug. and enjoy this warming winter treat.
 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION & RECIPE INSPIRATION, VISIT ANGOSTURABITTERS.COM.

[1] Try Cocoa Bitters in your morning coffee (all photos © Angostura Limited).

[2] Make this hot toddy with Cocoa Bitters. The recipe is below.

[3] Add Cocoa Bitters to your favorite whiskey.

[4] How about some mulled wine with Cocoa Bitters?