Soplica Bitter Vodka Liqueur (Gorzka) 50cl / 32%
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Soplica Bitter Vodka Liqueur is a bittersweet Polish herbal liqueur that blends spirit with a macerate of unripe oranges and a selection of herbs from the Białowieża region, bottled by Soplica at 32% ABV in 50cl. Sold in Poland simply as Gorzka, meaning bitter, it sets a sweet opening against a firm herbal backbone. The recipe is designed for serving Soplica Bitter as an aperitif, in a small cold glass before the main course. It also mixes well, standing in for an Italian-style bitter liqueur in long drinks and stirred cocktails, and it suits anyone who prefers dry, grown-up flavours to fruit.
Tasting Soplica Bitter
- Nose: Bitter orange peel, dried herbs and a light hint of baking spice.
- Palate: A sweet entry turns quickly to a firm bitterness of green orange and forest herbs, medium-bodied and smooth.
- Finish: Long, dry and herbal, with a faint note of citrus pith.
How to serve Soplica Bitter
Chill it to around 4–6°C and serve 30 ml neat in a small glass as a Polish aperitif, or pour it over ice with a slice of orange. The herbal bitterness pairs well with salty and smoky food: rye bread with smoked mackerel, slices of kiełbasa, pickled mushrooms and hard cheese. It also works at the end of a long meal, served cool rather than frozen so the herbs come through.
Soplica Bitter cocktails
- Gorzka Orange Highball: 50 ml Soplica Bitter over ice in a tall glass with 50 ml fresh orange juice and 100 ml soda water, garnished with an orange wheel.
- Polish Boulevardier: 30 ml Soplica Bitter, 30 ml rye whiskey and 30 ml sweet vermouth, stirred with ice and strained into a chilled coupe, with a twist of orange peel.
- Bitter Grapefruit Tonic: 40 ml Soplica Bitter over ice in a balloon glass, topped with 120 ml light tonic water and a pink grapefruit wedge.
How it compares
Soplica Bitter Mint uses the same orange-and-herb base and the same 32% ABV, but peppermint takes the lead and gives a cooler, fresher finish. Compared with fruit liqueurs such as Soplica Cherry at 26%, Soplica Bitter is much less sweet and is built around bitterness rather than fruit, so it belongs before a meal rather than beside dessert.
Good to know
The Białowieża region in north-eastern Poland lends its name to the herb blend, while green, unripe oranges sharpen the bitterness. Soplica Bitter 50cl is a sensible size for trying a Polish alternative to the usual aperitifs. Wodka Company posts Soplica Bitter throughout the UK from our base in north London.
Po polsku
Soplica Bitter, w Polsce znana po prostu jako Gorzka, to likier ziołowy na bazie wódki (32%, 0,5 l) z maceratem niedojrzałych pomarańczy i ziół z okolic Białowieży. Najpierw czuć słodycz, po której przychodzi zdecydowana gorycz pomarańczowej skórki i leśnych ziół, a finisz jest długi i wytrawny. Dobrze sprawdza się jako aperitif, schłodzona do 4–6°C i podana w małym kieliszku przed obiadem. Można ją też wydłużyć wodą sodową i świeżym sokiem pomarańczowym.
Frequently asked questions
Is Soplica Bitter an aperitif or a digestif?
Soplica Bitter is designed first as an aperitif, served as a small chilled glass before a meal to sharpen the appetite for food. Its bittersweet orange-and-herb profile also suits the end of dinner, in the way many European herbal bitters are drunk.
What gives Soplica Bitter its bitterness?
The bitterness in Soplica Bitter comes from a macerate of unripe oranges, which bring a sharper, greener bitterness than ripe fruit, together with a blend of Białowieża herbs. Sugar balances them, creating the sweet-then-bitter taste behind the Polish name Gorzka.
What cocktail can I make with Soplica Bitter?
Soplica Bitter can replace an Italian bitter in a spritz: pour 40 ml over ice in a wine glass, add 80 ml prosecco and a splash of soda water, then garnish with an orange slice. For a simpler long drink, top Soplica Bitter with tonic water.
