Bitter Love Bitters

You likely have only enjoyed bitters when the concoction is stirred into your cocktail, but why not give it a go as a standalone drink?

Bitter Love offers ready-to-drink beverages made from bitter functional herbs, sparkling water and fruit juice. Four females hailing from southern Maine created the natural food brand.

“Bitter interest and use are trending within the craft cocktail movement and as standalone tinctures and sprays. We are using a functional blend of bitter herbs, sparkling water and a splash of fruit juice to allow consumers to drink their bitters daily, on-the-go, in a refreshingly bitter and tart 12-ounce sparkling beverage. Bitter Love, while a new category, fits into consumer’s wishes for a low sugar, low-calorie flavorful beverage with functionality — the anti-soda,” said Taja Dockendorf, cofounder, Bitter Love.

The brand recently received some attention from David Zinczenko of Eat This Not That fame, who commented, “Handcrafted cocktail bitters are trendy with the hipster crowd, and this sparkling non-alcoholic drink is an easy way to enjoy them at home. As its name suggests, the drink is more bitter and tart than sweet, but it’s incredibly refreshing.”

Bitter Love offers three flavors, tart cherry, toasted pineapple and grapefruit. Each 12-ounce bottle is 40 calories, with no added sugars and the non-alcoholic version can be enjoyed on its own or as a cocktail component. Clean ingredients are used and the brand hopes to obtain its non-GMO certification soon.

Currently, the drink is available online, via Amazon and at retailers in New England.