The Best Bitters to Elevate Your Old Fashioned
Discover the best bitters to elevate your Old Fashioned, from iconic classics like Angostura to artisanal blends like King Floyd’s. Learn expert tips, explore unique flavors, and find the perfect whiskey to craft your ideal cocktail experience.
Highlights:
● Bitters are highly-concentrated extracts that add complexity and balance to cocktails.
● The best bitters for Old Fashioneds are robust enough to stand up to the spirit without overpowering it.
● Look for top brands like Angostura and Peychaud’s or smaller craft producers like King Floyd’s.
● Orange bitters help cut through the richness in Bourbon-based Old Fashioneds.
● Experiment with unusual flavors like chocolate and walnut or try mixing two bitters for greater depth and complexity.
Cocktail Bitters Guide: How to Use Bitters
Bitters were first made by apothecaries in the 18th century as medicinal tonics to treat everything from malaria to indigestion. Today bitters are used like the salt and pepper of the cocktail world. They’re simply highly-concentrated extracts made from herbs, spices, roots, and fruits. Modern bitters are made by infusing alcohol with a selection of botanicals to create an aromatic mix of sweet, spicy or floral notes.
Bitters are a key ingredient in certain cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan to add complexity, enhance the aromas, and help balance sweetness and acidity. In an Old Fashioned the bitters help act as a bridge between the whiskey and sugar. You usually just add a few drops per cocktail since they’re so intensely flavored.
The Best Bitters for Old Fashioned
The best bitters for whiskey drinks complement the bold, spicy character of the spirit without overpowering it. When you’re doing your bitters comparison, look out for aromatic intensity and balanced bitterness.
● Angostura Bitters is an iconic brand first created by Dr. Johann Siegert in Venezuela as a medicinal tonic for soldiers. It's one of the best Bourbon bitters thanks to its powerful aromatic profile with warming cinnamon and allspice balanced by bitterness from the gentian root.
● King Floyd's Aromatic Cocktail Bitters come from small batch artisanal producer Lawrence Floyd Batterton in California. The robust flavor profile with plenty of spice is ideal for high-proof Bourbon Old Fashioneds or spicy rye whiskies.
● Peychaud Aromatic Cocktail Bitters is another legendary bitters crafted by Antoine Amedée Peychaud in New Orleans in the 1830s. It is lighter in style than Angostura with delicate floral, anise, and cherry notes. Peychaud’s is a natural partner for rye whiskey in Old Fashioneds since it elevates the spice without being overpowering.
● Regan's Orange Cocktail Bitters are a little different from the others on this list since the zesty citrus is the dominant flavor. Use in Bourbon-based Old Fashioneds for a brighter take on the classic cocktail. It cuts through the richness of the Bourbon and provides a little contrast.
How to make a Classic Old Fashioned Drink
The Old Fashioned is a simple whiskey cocktail that combines bourbon or rye whiskey with a sugar cube, and a few dashes of bitters. Here’s our foolproof Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe:
- Place a sugar cube in the bottom of your rocks glass or tumbler.
- Pour 2-3 drops of bitters onto the sugar cube.
- Add a teaspoon of water and muddle until the sugar dissolves.
- Add your whiskey and a large ice cube.
- Stir the drink for about 30 seconds until it is well chilled.
- Squeeze a twist of orange to release the oils and drop it into the glass.
Old Fashioned Drink Tips
Old Fashioned is one of the easiest cocktails to make. But to really elevate your drink, try these tips from our Bottle Barn whiskey experts:
●Pick a good whiskey: Pick a quality whiskey that you like to drink neat. Remember that bourbon Old Fashioneds are smoother and richer, while rye creates a spicy, bold cocktail.
● Use large ice cubes: Try to use one big ice cube instead of several smaller ones. It’ll melt slower and dilute your cocktail less.
● Combine bitters for extra complexity: Try mixing two different types of bitters for greater depth and aromatics. For example, why not add a drop or two of orange bitters alongside your classic Angostura.
● Experiment with new flavors: If you’re feeling adventurous you could even try out flavored bitters like chocolate or walnut.
Looking for that perfect whiskey for your Old Fashioned? Check out our comprehensive whiskey collection on the Bottle Barn online store or drop into our Santa Rosa liquor store.