Aromatic Bitters

The baking-spice branch of the bitters family — clove, cinnamon, allspice, gentian.

Aromatic bitters are the default seasoning of the American cocktail. Angostura is the archetype: a 44.7% ABV infusion of gentian and spices developed in Venezuela in 1824. A dash or two lifts an Old Fashioned or Manhattan from spirit-plus-sugar into something recognizably a cocktail.