Smell is a major aspect of taste, so it’s time to start paying more attention to cocktail bitters. These fragrant additions can make your favorite mixed drink bloom out of the glass, and every home bartender should have a small but reliable arsenal at their disposal.
For the record, bitters are what they claim to be: Bitter-flavored concoctions typically made with wildly aromatic botanicals. They have a long history of use, initially with medicinal purposes before becoming digestifs and cocktail enhancers. In addition to high proof alcohol, bitters are made with a witches’ brew of seemingly exotic ingredients like cassia, cinchona bark, and gentian peel — and countless others, depending on the overall flavor of the product. Behind the bar, cocktail bitters have been used to lift the flavors of famed drinks since the 1860s.
Don’t be fooled by the diminutive vessels cocktail bitters usually inhabit as they pack a potent punch, despite the relatively tiny package. They’re not just for the most complicated drinks, as classic and somewhat straightforward cocktails like a Manhattan, Sazerac, or whisky sour can attest to. And they’re not just for alcoholic drinks, as a brisk and refreshing soda and bitters suggests.
When looking to stock up on some bitters essentials for your home bar, consider the following:
Angostura Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Beatles of cocktail bitters, Angostura is responsible for hit after classic hit. It launched in the 1820s in Venezuela and ultimately moved to Trinidad and Tobago, where it’s based today. The secret recipe features gentian, herbs, and spices, giving it a soothing, kitchen spice cabinet-like quality. It’s a fantastic addition to an Old Fashioned as well as a gin and tonic, imparting feel-good flavors like dried cinnamon and clove as well as heightened aromatics. Countless cocktails, from Rob Roy to a Manhattan, depend on Angostura’s distinctive personality.
Fee Brothers Black Walnut Cocktail Bitters
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Fee Brothers are responsible for an acclaimed family of bitters, spanning the entire spectrum of flavors. The black walnut is among the best, with a pronounced flavor profile unlike any other. Showing nutty notes, a bittersweet complexion, and a kiss of forest floor, it’s the perfect sidekick to bourbon and a great way to take a drink like a mint julep in an intriguing new direction. A few drops also do great with coffee and espresso-based drinks as well as ice cream.
Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Somewhat of a newcomer within the field, Regan’s Orange bitters have risen to deserved esteem since it was first developed in the 90s. Like so many bitters, this elixir relies on very particular ingredients, like Sevilla orange peel, coriander, anise, burnt sugar set in alcohol, and more. The zest of citrus shines through like a warm ray of sun, alongside the peppery punch of caraway and the warn, nutty flavors of coriander. We adore it with drinks that feature Campari and vermouth (Negroni, anyone?) and we like how it can wake up tamer spirits like vodka.
Peychaud’s Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Another classic and bar counter mainstay is Peychaud’s. It goes all the way back to the 1830s, of Creole descent in the city of New Orleans. It also features gentian, known for its green color and bitter flavor profile, along with woodsy elements like mint and black licorice. Given its bayou heritage, it’s no surprise that it’s tailor-made for classic French-American cocktails like the Vieux Carre and Sazerac. Never overwhelming and eager to complement a host of drinks, Peychaud’s is a bitters you don’t want to be stranded without.
I’m a cocktail expert — my picks for the best vodka for a Bloody Mary
Whether it's the morning after a wild night out and you're looking for something to staunch the feeling of excess, or whether you're throwing a lively brunch and are hoping to add a note of spice, the Bloody Mary is a beloved daytime cocktail. It's honestly surprising that tomato juice isn't more popular as a drink as it has both sweetness and a savory quality which makes it delicious to enjoy, especially as it has a thick, rich texture in the mouth. You add some salt and pepper and a bit of lemon juice and it really comes alive, and when you throw in a shot of vodka you've got the perfect easy sipper.
Despite -- or perhaps because of -- the well known status of the Bloody Mary, many people's experience with this drink is a little indifferent. It's just a fancy mixed drink, right? Tomato juice and vodka? Well, sort of, but there's a lot of finessing that you can do to the balance of flavors by adding elements which are sharp, or vinegary, or savory, to make this more complex and compelling.
The 9 best whiskeys for making a bar-worthy Old Fashioned at home
If you an Old Fashioned type of person, stock up your liquor cabinet with these whiskeys
There are two schools of thought when it comes to the iconic Old Fashioned cocktail. The first believes the drink requires the best whiskey you can find, as with few additional ingredients, there's not much in the way of masking the spirit. The second believes the addition of sugar, bitters, and citrus and can make even the most basic or foul whiskey drinkable.
We fall somewhere in between: Thirsty for quality, but well aware that the finest whiskeys should probably be enjoyed neat. A standup Old Fashioned is informed by your whiskey selection, but not fully dependent on it stealing the show. The drink, after all, was developed in the late 19th century during mixology's simpler era. It is what its name suggests.
The best tea cocktail recipes if you love a hot toddy
Warm up with these hot tea cocktail recipes this winter
If the Hot Toddy has taught us anything, it's that warm tea makes for a great cocktail base. And it's no wonder, given the broad range of tea types and styles. Given that we're still in winter's grip, these kinds of drinks are all the more intriguing, offering two kinds of warmth -- the hot tea itself and the booze.
You can end up with something drinkable by just throwing a tea bag and some spirits into a mug with some hot water. But we're not going for drinkable, we're aiming for utterly irresistible. That said, there are some things to keep in mind when mixing with tea. The most important aspect is to make the tea as recommended by the producer, as different kinds often require different methods.
