Whether you prefer classic drinks or modern cocktails, fixing an overly-sweet cocktail is easy when you find the perfect balance of flavor by adding bitters.

Bitters are a concentrated solution of herbs, spices, and botanicals that add complexity to drinks. Adding a few drops can be enough to balance out the sweetness in any cocktail.

For example, add a dash or two of Angostura bitters if an Old Fashioned is too sweet, and orange bitters work wonders with clear spirits, including light rum.

Peychaud's bitters offer incredible complexity with notes of anise and cherry, while chocolate bitters boost a cocktail's nutty and toasty notes, like in an espresso martini.

Remember to be careful and start slow, as over-bittering a drink isn't ideal either. A drop or two will suffice. If you're worried about overdoing it, use a dasher bottle.