Bitters · Explainer
What is a herbal bitters?
A herbal bitter is a spirit drink with a predominantly bitter taste, made by steeping herbs, roots, bark or citrus peel. In Regulation (EU) 2019/787 it falls under category 30, bitter or bitter. Beerenburg has its own category in the same annex, number 43. The Netherlands, Germany and Italy each have their own style.
In brief
The key figures
| Legal category | Category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787: bitter or bitter |
|---|---|
| Beerenburg | Own category 43 in the same annex |
| Number of categories in Annex I | 44 |
| Dutch style | Beerenburg, hunting bitter and regional bitters |
| German style | Herbal liqueur, such as Jägermeister, Underberg and Kümmerling |
| Italian style | Amaro, such as Averna, Montenegro and Ramazzotti |
| Minimum alcohol, distilled spirits | 15% vol |
| Age limit | 18 years, Alcohol Act article 20 |
How is an herbal bitter made?
A herbal bitter is made by steeping herbs, roots, bark, seeds or citrus peel in alcohol and then diluting the extract.
Each maker keeps its own herb recipe to itself. The label shows the sales name and the alcohol percentage; the composition usually does not.
Hooghoudt in Groningen, a family distillery that has existed since 1888, makes beerenburg and herbal bitters as well as jenever. Zuidam in Baarle-Nassau states that it uses no artificial aroma, colouring or flavouring substances.
Why does Beerenburg have its own category?
Beerenburg is listed as number 43 in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, among the 44 categories of spirit drinks, with the spellings Berenburg and Beerenburg.
That makes it one of the few Dutch designations with its own place in that list. Most bitters simply fall under number 30.
On the shelf in Bathmen the beerenburgs are with the bitters. Brands you will come across there include Sonnema, Boomsma, Weduwe Joustra, Hooghoudt and Gorter.
What is the difference between the Dutch, German and Italian style?
The Dutch style revolves around beerenburg and jachtbitter, the German around Kräuterlikör and the Italian around amaro.
German labels often carry the word Kräuterlikör, even when the product is drunk as a bitter. Jägermeister, Underberg and Kümmerling belong to that group.
Italian amari are served after dinner. Averna, Montenegro, Ramazzotti, Fernet-Branca and Vecchio Amaro del Capo are in that part of the shelf.
Is an herbal bitter the same as an herbal liqueur?
Herbal bitter and herbal liqueur are two different categories in Regulation (EU) 2019/787: bitter is number 30, liqueur number 33.
The difference lies in the sugar. A liqueur must contain at least 100 grams of sugar per litre; with bitter, the bitter taste is the characteristic on which the category rests.
On labels the words get mixed up. Dutch bottles sometimes carry kruidenlikeur and German ones Kräuterlikör, while in the shop the product stands with the bitters.
How do you serve a herbal bitter?
A herbal bitter is usually served neat and cold, in a small glass, before or after the meal.
In the Netherlands, Beerenburg often comes out of the freezer or the fridge. Italian amari are more likely to be drunk at room temperature or with a cube of ice.
Er is geen voorschrift; het is een gewoonte die per streek verschilt. Wat wel vaststaat: vanaf 18 jaar. NIX18.
From the shop in Bathmen
Which herbal bitters are on offer in Bathmen?
In the shop in Bathmen there are 92 herbal bitters from the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, from 48 different brands from 3 countries. Prices run from € 1.00 to € 135.99. The alcohol percentage runs from 10% to 60.11%.
- Achterhoekertje Kruidenlikeur 22% · 70 cl · Netherlands
- Akkefietje 30% · 50 cl · Netherlands
- Averna Amaro 29% · 100 cl · Italy
- AVERNA Amaro Sicillano 32% · 70 cl · Italy
- Battums Bockjesnat 30% · 70 cl · Netherlands
- Battums Bockjesnat 30% · 100 cl · Netherlands
- Battums Bockjesnat 30% · 35 cl · Netherlands
- Battums Kruidenbitter 30% · 50 cl · Netherlands
- Battums Kruidenbitter Mini 30% · 5 cl · Netherlands
- Boomsma Beerenburg Kruik 30% · 50 cl · Netherlands
Related questions
What is a spritz?What is the difference between Aperol and Campari?What is the difference between a bitter and a liqueur?
Short answer
Short answers to related questions
- Is Jägermeister a herbal bitter?
- The label says Kräuterlikör. On the shelf in Bathmen, the bottle stands with the herbal bitters.
- What is the difference between beerenburg and herbal bitters?
- Beerenburg is a separate category, number 43 in Regulation (EU) 2019/787. Herbal bitter in general falls under category 30.
- How much alcohol is in a herbal bitter?
- That differs per bottle. A spirit drink has at least 15% alcohol; the percentage is always on the label.
- Is amaro a herbal bitter?
- Yes. Amaro is the Italian word for bitter and falls under the same category 30 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787.
- From what age may you buy herbal bitter?
- From the age of 18. Article 20 of the Alcoholwet prohibits supplying alcohol to anyone who has not reached that age.
The reasoning
Sources
- Verordening (EU) 2019/787 betreffende gedistilleerde dranken, EUR-Lex, European Union (accessed 2026-09-06)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Annex I: categories of spirit drinks, legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives (accessed 2026-09-06)
- Hooghoudt, familiedistilleerderij sinds 1888, Hooghoudt, Groningen (accessed 6 September 2026)
- Zuidam Distillers, Zuidam Distillers, Baarle-Nassau (accessed 6 September 2026)
- Alcoholwet, Overheid.nl (accessed 2026-09-06)
- NIX18, Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (geraadpleegd 2026-09-06)
This page was written and checked by ’t Bockje Bathmen, wine and spirits shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Last updated on 7 September 2026.
Verkoop van alcohol onder de 18 jaar is verboden. NIX18.