Orange bitters are a concentrated, alcohol-based flavoring made by macerating dried bitter- or Seville-orange peel, along with botanicals such as gentian root, cardamom, and cinnamon, in high-proof neutral spirit, then straining and diluting the result. Used in dashes rather than by the glass, they were an essential ingredient in early cocktails like the Martini, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned, adding a citrus backbone and a touch of bitterness that balances sweeter ingredients. Modern brands often blend sweet and bitter orange peel with other citrus, such as grapefruit. Beyond cocktails, a few dashes can season baked goods, chocolate desserts, marinades, and roasted meats.