Flavoring for some artisanal bitters and sodas
This is not a standalone dish but a concentrated flavoring base used in artisanal bitters and sodas, typically made from a blend of botanicals, herbs, spices, and citrus peels. Common ingredients include gentian root, quinine bark, cinchona bark, citrus zests, and various aromatic herbs, often steeped in alcohol or a glycerin solution. It originates from the craft cocktail and soda-making traditions, with roots in 19th-century apothecary practices.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
As a flavoring, it is used in very small quantities (drops or dashes), so it contributes negligible calories, carbs, fat, or protein to the final beverage. Its primary nutritional contribution comes from trace minerals and phytonutrients extracted from the botanicals, though these are minimal in the serving sizes used.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 5 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbs | 1 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Potassium | 10 mg |
| Magnesium | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.1 mg |
Per 1 teaspoon (5 ml) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, these flavorings are central to the craft cocktail renaissance, allowing for custom, complex flavors that echo historical remedies and tonics. Nutritionally, some botanicals like gentian or cinchona contain bitter compounds that may stimulate digestion, though their effects in these tiny doses are more sensory than therapeutic.
