Bitters are a low alcohol preparation made with botanical herbs and spices. They turn an average cocktail into a flavorful creation. Not only will The Bitter Lady liven up a party, they also have numerous health advantages due to their natural medicinal properties. In fact, the first bitter was created in 1824 by a Venezuelan doctor as a natural stimulant to aid in the prevention of malaria and keep troops on their feet. Angostura bitters have since become a staple of liquor stores and cocktail bars. 

Jo Nencetti is a native North Carolinian who brings a southern flare to classic bitter recipes along with inventing new creations of her own. Jo has been a lifelong environmentalist and naturalist enjoying all things outdoors. Whether kayaking, hiking, or gardening, Jo has found solace and wonder in our beautiful North Carolinian landscape. 

Jo’s first experience with herbal medicine stemmed from the Foxfire book series about homestead living. As a teenager, Jo was interested in self-sufficiency and natural remedies. She has made kombucha, tinctures, brewed beer with herbs, and now makes bitters.

Jo has worked with a natural health magazine and the natural health community in the Carolinas. Since then, Jo has expanded her herbal knowledge with tutelage of many herbalists and healers through her membership in the NC Herb Association. After learning the vast medicinal benefits of native herbs, she was disenchanted by the simple--often boring--bitters available in grocery and liquor stores. Jo already had most of the herbs used in these recipes… along with quite a few more. Thus, The Bitter Lady was born. 

Each bitter sold by Jo is a personal concoction created over months of trial and error. Jo buys all of the ingredients organically from responsible vendors, when possible, and returns the glass bottles for refilling or to be recycled to keep with her environmental perspective. All spent plant material gets composted to go back to the earth to enrich the soil. With great reviews from friends and family, Jo created this company.

As a local small business, Jo and The Bitter Lady would like to thank the Charlotte community for the support.  Jo will continue to invent and refine bitter recipes to bring natural plant magic and delicious flavor to your beverage of choice near you!

Thank you!

-From Jo (The Bitter Lady)