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The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set – Perfect Cocktails On the Go

Updated → September 2025

The The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set is a portable kit of five essential cocktail bitters in mini bottles. This travel-friendly set lets you craft perfect drinks anywhere, offering a range of classic bitters flavors to elevate your cocktails. Explore how this kit empowers mixology on the move and why it’s a must-have for cocktail enthusiasts.

What Is the The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set?

The The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set is a curated collection of cocktail bitters designed for maximum portability. It includes five 20 ml bottles of different bitters flavors packaged in a compact, durable tin. This set was created so cocktail lovers and bartenders can carry essential bitters on the go, ensuring that even when traveling, you can craft cocktails with depth and character. Each bottle contains high-proof bitters (38.2% ABV) that deliver the same potency as full-sized bottles but in travel-friendly form. In essence, this kit distills the magic of a well-stocked cocktail bar into a pocket-sized package.

Why Cocktail Bitters Are Essential

Cocktail bitters are often called the “spice rack” of the bar. Just a few dashes can transform a drink’s flavor profile, adding complexity, balance, and depth. For decades, bitters were an indispensable ingredient in classic recipes. Bitters like aromatic bitters or orange bitters provide subtle bitter notes and aromatic spices that round out sweetness and acidity in cocktails. For example, aromatic bitters bring warm spice to an Old Fashioned, while a dash of orange bitters adds a delicate citrus complexity to a Martini. Without bitters, many cocktails would taste one-dimensional or overly sweet. This balancing act makes bitters essential for crafting well-balanced drinks.

The Revival of Craft Bitters

After Prohibition, cocktail bitters nearly disappeared except for a few brands like Angostura. In recent years, however, craft bitters have made a big comeback alongside the classic cocktail revival. New artisan bitters makers have resurrected old recipes and invented new flavors, so bartenders and enthusiasts now have many bitters at their disposal—ranging from time-honored aromatics to innovative creations. Bitters are once again a must-have behind the bar, symbolizing the renewed appreciation for authentic, well-crafted cocktails in modern mixology.

The Bitter Truth: A Brand Born from Bitters

The Bitter Truth is the brand behind the Traveler’s Set, and their story is rooted in a love of bitters. In 2006, two German bartenders, Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck, founded The Bitter Truth to fill a void in the market. They started by releasing an Orange Bitters and an Old Time Aromatic Bitters, drawing on vintage cocktail recipes. These offerings were well received by the bartending community. Over time, the company expanded its range with additional flavors, including both classic styles (like Creole and Jerry Thomas bitters) and innovative new blends. The The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set itself is a testament to their mission: it compiles five of their most popular bitters in miniature form, making it easy for anyone to carry and use craft bitters anywhere in the world.

Benefits of a Travel-Size Bitters Kit

Why carry a travel-size bitters set? The benefit is in the freedom and flexibility it provides. For frequent travelers or cocktail enthusiasts on the move, large glass bitters bottles are impractical – they’re heavy, fragile, and not allowed in carry-on luggage on flights. The The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set solves this by offering five essential bitters in leak-proof mini bottles that meet airline carry-on regulations. You can mix a proper Old Fashioned or Manhattan at your destination without fear of bottles breaking in your bag. Even at home, this small set lets you sample multiple flavors without committing to full-size bottles of each. In short, it provides convenience, variety, and peace of mind, ensuring you’re never without the key ingredients to craft top-notch drinks wherever you are.

What’s Inside the Traveler’s Set

The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set packs five of the brand’s signature bitters into one kit. Each 20 ml bottle features a distinct flavor that covers a broad spectrum of cocktail needs. The flavors included are:

  • Old Time Aromatic Bitters: A classic aromatic bitters with notes of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and anise. It adds warm spice and a gingerbread-like richness to cocktails.
  • Orange Bitters: Bright and citrusy, with bitter orange peel in the forefront and hints of cardamom and nutmeg. A dash of orange bitters gives a zesty lift to martinis, Manhattans, and other drinks that need a citrus twist.
  • Celery Bitters: Herbal and intriguing, dominated by fresh celery notes layered with lemongrass, ginger, and a hint of orange. A dash of celery bitters adds an exotic savory note to a Bloody Mary or even a simple gin and tonic.
  • Creole Bitters: A spiced New Orleans–style bitters with a complex mix of spice, a slight bitterness, and a subtle floral finish. Use Creole Bitters in place of Peychaud’s for cocktails like the Sazerac, or to give any drink a Louisiana kick.
  • Jerry Thomas Bitters: Named after the legendary 19th-century bartender Jerry Thomas, it combines citrus peel and dried fruit aromas with spices like clove, angostura bark, and cinnamon. This robust bitters brings old-school complexity to any spirit-forward cocktail.

How to Use the Traveler’s Set

Using the The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set is straightforward and rewarding. Simply add 1–3 dashes of the bitters to your drink (to taste) and stir or shake. A little goes a long way since these mini bottles contain full-strength bitters. You can use each flavor in its classic pairing – for example, aromatic bitters in an Old Fashioned, orange bitters in a Martini, or celery bitters in a Bloody Mary. You can also get creative by combining types in one drink. With five flavors on hand, this set encourages experimentation: try a dash of one or two different bitters to craft your own signature twist.

Top Cocktails to Try with These Bitters

With the variety of bitters in this set, a world of cocktails opens up to you. Here are a few ideas to inspire your mixology adventures:

  • Old Fashioned: A few dashes of aromatic bitters add warm spice and complexity to this whiskey classic.
  • Martini: Add a dash of orange bitters to a gin Martini for a fragrant citrus twist on the traditional recipe.
  • Bloody Mary: A dash of celery bitters amplifies the savory celery and spice notes in this brunch favorite.
  • Sazerac: Use Creole Bitters (instead of Peychaud’s) along with rye whiskey and absinthe to capture the authentic New Orleans character of a Sazerac.

These are just a few possibilities – feel free to experiment with any of the bitters to create your own cocktail twists.

Traveler’s Set vs. Full-Size Bottles

How does the Traveler’s Set compare to owning full-size bottles of bitters? The main difference is volume and convenience. A standard bottle of bitters is around 200 ml, whereas each bottle here is 20 ml (100 ml total for the set). If you only use a certain flavor occasionally, a mini bottle will last a long time and you won’t have a big bottle sitting around for years. Buying five different full-size bottles would also cost more and take up considerable space, while this compact set is cost-effective and easy to store. Most importantly, the travel set’s portability is unbeatable – you can slip it into a bag and bring it to parties or on trips, something impractical with full-size bottles. In short, the set sacrifices quantity per flavor in exchange for variety and mobility, which is a great trade-off for most cocktail lovers.

Alternatives and Comparisons

The Bitter Truth isn’t the only company with a bitters sampler, but it’s one of the most popular. For example, Scrappy’s Bitters offers a mini set of four bottles (featuring unique flavors like Lavender and Cardamom), and Hella Cocktail Co. sells a five-pack with their own twist on classic bitters. Each alternative has its merits, but the The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set stands out for covering five core bitters flavors in one package. It provides a broad foundation for mixing cocktails, whereas some other kits focus on more niche flavors. Given its under-$20 price point and quality, The Bitter Truth’s Traveler’s Set offers one of the best balances of variety and value on the market.

A Great Gift for Cocktail Lovers

The The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set also shines as a gift for any cocktail enthusiast. Its attractive tin and variety of mini bottles have a fun “wow” factor when unwrapped. More importantly, it’s something they’ll actually use – each time your gift recipient dashes a bit of bitters into a drink, they’ll be able to try a new flavor or recipe. This set suits both beginners (who get to learn what different bitters can do) and experienced mixologists (who appreciate the convenience and range), so you can hardly go wrong. It’s a unique, useful present that will elevate someone’s home bar without taking up much space.

Storage and Shelf Life Tips

One great aspect of bitters is their long shelf life. To get the most out of your The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set, store the tin in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Always keep the caps on the mini bottles tightly closed to prevent evaporation. Thanks to their high alcohol content, you don’t need to refrigerate bitters. They will stay good for a very long time at room temperature – typically a year or more after opening with no noticeable loss of flavor. (In fact, you’ll probably use up these little bottles well before they’d ever deteriorate.) Just avoid extreme heat and excessive light, and your bitters will remain potent to the last drop.

Where to Buy the The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set

You can find this set at many specialty liquor stores and online retailers that carry cocktail supplies. If you’re in the Western New York area, check out Union Wine & Liquors in Cheektowaga (2675 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227) – they carry The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler’s Set. You can shop in-store or see if their website offers local delivery and pickup. Buying from a local store like Union Wine & Liquors gets you the product right away and gives you a chance to browse other cocktail essentials (and maybe get advice from their staff). It’s always wise to call ahead or check the store’s online catalog to ensure it’s currently in stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cocktails can I make with the bitters in this set?

You can make a wide variety of cocktails. Classics like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Martini, and Sazerac can all be enhanced using the bitters from this set. In general, any recipe calling for aromatic or orange bitters, for instance, can be made with the corresponding flavor from this collection.

Do bitters have alcohol, and can I carry them on a plane?

Yes. Cocktail bitters are alcoholic (around 38% ABV in this set), but they’re used in drops and dashes for flavor, not drunk on their own. Each bottle in the Traveler’s Set is only 20 ml, which is well under the TSA’s carry-on liquid limit of 100 ml. That means you can safely pack this set in your carry-on bag when flying without any issues.

How long will these mini bottles last me?

Each 20 ml bottle contains roughly 30 to 40 dashes of bitters. How long that lasts depends on how often you make cocktails. If you use a few dashes a week, one mini bottle could last several months. The good news is that bitters have a long shelf life, so you can open them and use them at your own pace. Even after a year or more, the flavors should remain potent as long as you cap the bottles tightly and store them properly.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Cocktail Game

Whether you’re a traveling bartender, a home mixologist, or someone who simply loves experimenting with drinks, the The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveler's Set offers a world of possibilities in a small package. This clever kit ensures that great cocktails aren’t confined to a fully stocked bar – you can mix up quality drinks wherever you go. If you’ve been looking to elevate your cocktail game with minimal fuss, this Traveler’s Set could be the secret ingredient you never knew you needed. Cheers to making every cocktail an adventure, no matter where you are!

Drink responsibly. 21+ only.