Bitter or bitter spirits are flavoured spirit drinks with a mainly bitter taste. Bitters have an alcoholic strength by volume of at least 15%. They are popular as an aperitif, digestif or as an ingredient in cocktails. Bitters are also excellent for flavouring desserts, for fish and meat sauces and for flavouring gin, vodka or jenever. Bitters often contain extracts of herbs, citrus plants, tart berries, angostura bark, cinchona bark or aniseed. This is why they are often used as a household remedy, for example to relieve a feeling of fullness after a heavy meal.