What are the typical characteristics of cocktail bitters?

The typical characteristics of cocktail bitters include being high-strength, highly concentrated, and intensely bitter. This profile is essential for their role in cocktails, where they serve to enhance flavors and balance the overall profile of the drink. Bitters are often made by infusing a base spirit with various botanicals, herbs, and spices, leading to their intense flavor concentration.

The high strength allows just a few dashes to impart significant flavor and complexity to cocktails without overwhelming them. The bitterness acts as a counterpoint to sweetness in many cocktails, making them more balanced and enjoyable. This unique combination of characteristics is what differentiates bitters from other cocktail ingredients, which may not have the same intensity or purpose.

In contrast, other options describe profiles that do not align with how bitters function in mixology. For instance, bitters are not typically low-strength or lightly flavored, as they need to provide a pronounced impact in drinks. Describing them as medium-strength and sweet or clear, light, and dry also misrepresents their essence, as these terms do not capture the concentrated bitterness and potency that are fundamental qualities of cocktail bitters.