Bitters have inspired cocktails for nearly 200 years — and now they’re back in vogue.

It’s that little bottle with the ill-fitting label that’s wedged into the darkest corner of your liquor cabinet. You’ve probably looked at it a thousand times and long since forgotten what the heck it’s for. But, before you toss it as part of an advanced strike on spring-cleaning, be aware that the little bottle of bitters is getting some big attention. Bitters have been around for nearly 200 years and have found their way into the cocktails of yesteryear as a signature bartender ingredient. Today, as part of the emerging speakeasy retro-trend, bitters are seeing a surge in popularity along with some of the most classic cocktails of all time.

Aptly named for its face-puckering flavour, it’s no coincidence that bitters came to the mixologist’s kit bag from the world of pharmacy. Classified as a tincture (alcohol base), bitters consist of various blends of herbs, roots and other pseudo-medicinal ingredients that have their properties extracted into the booze.

From lager to scotch, rum and cognac, chefs are matching dishes to more than just wine these days.

The next time you’re out for dinner and feel like a little adventure, ask your waiter if the chef or bartender can suggest something other than wine that will enhance the flavours of your meal — it might just be a trend you can really sink your teeth into.

Host a night of whisky tasting and discover the pleasure of Scotland’s best export.

Being Scottish in a foreign land has its problems—no deep-fried Mars bars or black puddin’ ‘n’ chips. Culinary shortcomings aside, the biggest problem is that around January 25th, when all good Scots celebrate the birth of legendary poet and author of Auld Lang Syne, Robert Burns, the price for a bag piper goes through the roof! Fortunately, most displaced Scots quickly discover that if you fudge the date a little, you can save bundles. We call it our own wee Robbie Burns day and it’s inevitably after January 25.

Regardless of the date, Robbie Burns is a great reason to gather friends and sample some of Scotland’s finest national export. To make the experience more interactive and easier on the pocketbook ask your friends to bring a bottle—we’ve pulled together everything you need to know to select a good range of samples.