Angostura bitters

Angostura bitters

Angostura bitters, often simply referred to as "angostura", is a concentrated bitters for food and beverages made of herbs and spices by House of Angostura in the country of Trinidad and Tobago.

The recipe was developed as a tonic by German Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, a Surgeon General in Simon Bolivar's army in Venezuela, who began to sell it in 1824. Siegert was based in Ciudad Bolívar which was then known as Angostura, and used locally available ingredients. Perhaps he drew on the botanical knowledge of the local Amerindians, although the single ingredient named on the label is gentian.Raymond, J. [http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/bio_JGB_Siegert_bitters.htm "Mysteries in Angostura Museum: Story of founder Dr. Siegert comes to life", "Trinidad Guardian"] January 10, 2000] The exact formula is a closely guarded secret, with only five people knowing the whole recipe. [cite web | title = Trinidad's House of Angostura | url = http://www.silvertorch.com/jottings/trinjots.html | accessdate = 2008-01-29]

As Angostura bitters are extremely concentrated, they are not normally drunk purely, but used to flavour drinks and food; usually only a few drops or dashes are used.

Angostura bitters are a key ingredient in many cocktails. Originally used to mask the flavour of quinine in tonic water along with gin, the mix stuck in the form of a Pink Gin, and is also used in many other alcoholic cocktails such as "Long Vodka", consisting of vodka, Angostura bitter, and lemonade, and the Manhattan, made with whiskey and sweet (Italian) vermouth. In a Pisco Sour a few drops are sprinkled on top, mostly for decorative purposes. It is also the key ingredient in a Rum Cannonball. Bitters can also be used in soft drinks - a common non-alcoholic drink served in Australian pubs is lemon, lime & bitters. An approximation of ginger ale (as a drink mixer) can be made by filling a glass, almost to the top, with lemon-lime soda, adding a splash or two of cola, and then adding a couple dashes of Angostura bitters.

Angostura bitters are renowned for having restorative properties.Fact|date=May 2008 It was reported to be a remedy for hiccups, [ ["A Bitter Medicine Cures the Hiccups", "The New York Times"] December 31, 1981] and also can be used as a cure for an upset stomach. [ [http://www.fineliving.com/fine/thirsty_traveler/article/0,1663,FINE_10176_2389104,00.html "Bitters: The World's Best Kept Secret (205)" "FineLiving.com" ] ] Across many Caribbean nations, they are regarded as a necessary addition to any household medicine cabinet. Fact|date=May 2008

Folklore claims the bitters have raised people from near-death or even flat-line states. Many Caribbean islanders and Venezuelans extol the bitters' medicinal use as a cure-all for conditions ranging from headaches and abdominal pain to diarrhea and influenza.

ee also

* House of Angostura

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Angostura bitters — Angostura bitters® noun A brand of aromatic bitters, first made in Angostura, used as a flavouring in cocktails and other drinks, etc • • • Main Entry: ↑Angostura …   Useful english dictionary

  • Angostura bitters® — noun A brand of aromatic bitters, first made in Angostura, used as a flavouring in cocktails and other drinks, etc ● Angostura …   Useful english dictionary

  • Angostura bitters —   …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • angostura bitters — /ˌæŋgəstʃurə ˈbɪtəz/ (say .angguhschoohruh bituhz) noun a bitter aromatic tonic prepared in Trinidad from barks, roots, herbs, etc., under a secret formula. {trademark} …  

  • Angostura — may refer to;Things* Angostura (genus), a plant genus in the Rutaceae family *Angostura bitters *House of Angostura, a company manufacturing angostura bitters. *Angostura bark, a spice made from the bark of the tree Cusparia febrifuga . The… …   Wikipedia

  • angostura — ► NOUN 1) an aromatic bitter bark from South America, used as a flavouring. 2) (also Angostura bitters trademark ) a kind of tonic. ORIGIN from Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar) in Venezuela …   English terms dictionary

  • Bitters — A bitters is an alcoholic beverage prepared with herbs and citrus dissolved in alcohol or glycerine and having a bitter or bittersweet flavor. There are numerous brands of bitters, which were formerly marketed as patent medicines but are now… …   Wikipedia

  • angostura — n. (in full angostura bark) an aromatic bitter bark used as a flavouring, and formerly used as a tonic and to reduce fever. Phrases and idioms: Angostura Bitters propr. a kind of tonic first made in Angostura. Etymology: Angostura, a town in… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Angostura — noun a) The former name of Ciudad Bolivar, a town on the Orinoco b) A trademark of a brand of aromatic bitters; Angostura bitters …   Wiktionary

  • angostura — [ˌaŋgə stjʊərə] noun 1》 an aromatic bitter bark from South America, used as a flavouring. 2》 (also Angostura bitters trademark) a kind of tonic. Origin C18: from Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar) in Venezuela …   English new terms dictionary

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