Nutrition: How many carbohydrates are in bitters?

October 30, 2025 •

3 min read

Standard aromatic cocktail bitters typically contain a minimal amount of carbohydrates, with a single dash (about 1ml) often having less than one gram. This low-volume usage makes understanding how many carbohydrates are in bitters crucial for those monitoring their dietary intake, especially when differentiating between concentrated cocktail flavorings and sweeter, high-carb options.

Quick Summary

The carbohydrate content of bitters varies significantly depending on the type and quantity consumed. While aromatic bitters used in dashes are very low in carbs and sugar, liqueurs like amaros and ready-to-drink soda mixes contain substantially higher amounts.

Key Points

Standard Aromatic Bitters: Contain less than 1g of carbohydrates per dash, making them virtually carb-free in typical cocktail quantities.
Amaros Are Different: Digestif liqueurs, or amaros, are sweetened and contain significantly more carbohydrates than aromatic bitters, often 10g or more per serving.
Beware of Mixes: Pre-mixed products like Lemon, Lime & Bitters sodas are high in sugar and carbs, and should not be confused with concentrated cocktail bitters.
Keto-Friendly Usage: When used in small dashes, aromatic bitters are acceptable on a ketogenic diet for adding flavor to cocktails made with carb-free spirits and mixers.
Always Check the Product: The carbohydrate content can vary by brand and type, so always verify nutritional information, especially if you are consuming larger quantities or sweetened versions.

What Exactly Are Bitters?

Bitters are concentrated alcoholic spirits infused with various botanicals, including roots, fruits, spices, and herbs. They are traditionally used in small quantities, or "dashes," to add complexity and flavor to cocktails, as well as for their digestive properties. However, the term "bitters" can be confusing because it can refer to several different products, ranging from concentrated aromatic cocktail additives to sweet, high-volume digestif liqueurs known as amaros. The amount of sugar added to these products dictates their carbohydrate and caloric content.

Aromatic Cocktail Bitters: The Low-Carb Option

For classic cocktail-making, aromatic bitters are the standard. Products like Angostura are designed to be used sparingly, with just a few drops or a dash added to a drink. As a result, the carbohydrate and sugar content from these products is extremely low per serving.

A single dash (about 1 ml) of Angostura Bitters contains 0.0g of carbohydrates and 4 calories.
Fee Brothers' old-fashioned aromatic bitters also advertise 0g of total carbohydrates per dash.

Because so little is used, the carb contribution from standard aromatic cocktail bitters is effectively zero for most diets, including ketogenic lifestyles.

Flavored and Fruit-Based Bitters

Flavored cocktail bitters, such as orange bitters, can sometimes contain slightly more carbs and sugars than their aromatic counterparts, but the amounts are still very small per dash. For instance, a half-teaspoon of Angostura Orange Bitters contains 1 gram of carbohydrates and 10 calories. When used in small quantities, these remain a low-carb addition to beverages.

Amaros and Digestifs: High-Carb Liqueurs

This is where the term "bitters" can be misleading. Amaros are Italian herbal liqueurs that, while having a bitter backbone, are also significantly sweetened to balance the flavor. Because amaros are consumed in much larger quantities (typically 1–2 ounces or more as a digestif), their carbohydrate count is substantially higher.

Amaro Averna has 10.2 grams of carbohydrates per 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) serving.
Ramazzotti Amaro contains 19 grams of sugar per 100 ml.

For those on a strict low-carb or keto diet, it is essential to distinguish between a cocktail bitter and an amaro, as the latter can quickly push a person over their daily carbohydrate limit.

The Danger of Pre-Mixed Lemon, Lime, and Bitters

Some products on the market, such as Lemon, Lime, and Bitters (LLB) sodas, contain substantial amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. These are not concentrated bitters but are sugary soft drinks that use bitters as a flavoring agent. A 300 ml bottle of Schweppes Lemon Lime & Bitters, for example, contains 29.40 grams of carbohydrates. This is a critical distinction for anyone concerned about sugar intake. To make a low-carb alternative, mix standard aromatic bitters with a sugar-free soda or sparkling water.

Bitters on a Low-Carb or Ketogenic Diet

For followers of low-carb or ketogenic diets, cocktail bitters are generally considered acceptable due to the small quantity used. They provide flavor and complexity without adding significant sugar. However, the cardinal rule is to avoid sweetened liqueurs (amaros) and pre-mixed, sugary mixers. Stick to classic spirits like gin, vodka, or rum mixed with carb-free mixers and a few dashes of aromatic bitters.

Low-Carb Bitters Comparison Table


Product Type	Example	Serving Size	Approximate Carbohydrates	Notes
Aromatic Cocktail Bitters	Angostura Aromatic Bitters	1 dash (1 ml)	0.0g - <1g	Effectively carb-free due to small quantity
Flavored Cocktail Bitters	Angostura Orange Bitters	1/2 tsp	1g	Still very low-carb for cocktail use
Amaro Liqueur	Amaro Averna	1.5 fl oz (44 ml)	10.2g	Significant carb content; consume with caution
Ready-to-drink Mix	Schweppes LLB	300 ml bottle	29.40g	Very high in carbs due to added sugars

Conclusion

To determine how many carbohydrates are in bitters, the context of the product and serving size is everything. Standard, concentrated cocktail bitters used in dashes add negligible carbohydrates to a drink and are suitable for low-carb diets. Conversely, if you are consuming sweetened liqueurs like amaro or pre-mixed, soda-based beverages, you can expect a significantly higher carbohydrate intake. Always check the ingredients and serving sizes, especially if you are monitoring your sugar consumption. The key to staying low-carb is to stick to aromatic bitters and avoid any sweetened counterparts. You can also explore options for creating low-carb cocktails by pairing bitters with low-carb or sugar-free mixers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use aromatic cocktail bitters on a keto diet. Because they are used in very small quantities (dashes), they contribute a negligible amount of carbohydrates. Just be sure to use them with spirits and mixers that are also low or no-carb.

A single dash of Angostura Aromatic Bitters typically contains less than one gram of carbohydrates, with some nutrition labels listing 0g. A standard serving adds almost no carbs to a drink.

The main difference is quantity and sugar content. Cocktail bitters are concentrated and used in small dashes, with very low carb counts. Amaros are bittersweet liqueurs consumed in larger servings and contain significant amounts of added sugar, resulting in a much higher carbohydrate count.

No, most bitters contain small amounts of sugar or caramel, but the quantity is so small per dash that it is considered a trace amount. Sweetened liqueurs like amaros, however, have high sugar and carb content.

Aromatic cocktail bitters add a negligible number of calories to a drink, typically around 4-10 calories per dash or teaspoon. The main source of calories and carbs in a bitter-based drink would come from other mixers, juices, or spirits.

Some nutritional reports may be based on larger serving sizes (such as a full ounce or 100g), or they may be measuring different products, such as sweetened amaro liqueurs or pre-mixed soda drinks like Lemon, Lime & Bitters, which are high in sugar.

For bottled bitters, check the nutrition label for the carbohydrate count per serving. For products without a label, assume standard aromatic bitters are very low-carb, but proceed with caution on sweetened liqueurs (amaros) and premixed drinks.