Well this is nearly 10 years down the track but I have been searching for a cheaper alternative to Sanbitter as it is quite expensive. From my understanding making ones own bitters is a battle with solubility of the various ingredients, minimum in water with best flavour extraction in alcohol so if after a non-alcoholic alternative it appears problematic at best. Although I do not have the best palate in the world, ie I struggle to tell the difference between a $10 bottle of wine and one at $50, I have found that the Bitter made by Monin tastes exactly like Sanbitter and at a fraction of the price. Where I am (Australia) a 700ml bottle of Monin Bitter concentrate, which can make around 10 litre of drink, is around $18 Australian whereas Sanbitter, pack of 10 x 100 ml bottles, so 1 litre diluted ready to drink, is around $20. Basically you can get the Sanbitter experience for a tenth the price. But if you want classy then the little 100 mL Sanbitter bottle inverted into a large glass of sparking water, is the way to go. I have a nice photo but do not know how to attach it but trust me it is classy.