What makes a truly great Old Fashioned? Many people focus on the whiskey or the orange peel, but the secret often hides in a tiny bottle. That small, potent liquid is the bitters—the unsung hero of this classic cocktail. If you have ever tasted an Old Fashioned that felt “flat” or just “missing something,” you probably experienced a lack of proper bitters.
Choosing the right bitters can feel overwhelming. Should you pick the famous Angostura, or try a spicy Peychaud’s, or maybe explore a whole new world of chocolate or cherry flavors? The sheer number of bottles lining the shelf makes it tough to know which one will perfectly balance your bourbon or rye. Getting it wrong can mean a muddied flavor instead of a bright, complex sip.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore the main types of Old Fashioned bitters, explain exactly what each one brings to your glass, and help you select the perfect match for your taste. Get ready to stop guessing and start crafting cocktails with confidence.
Top Old Fashioned Bitters Recommendations
- Classic cocktail flavoring.
- Used in popular drinks such as the Manhattan and Planter's Punch.
- Made with citrus oils and other spices.
- HANDCRAFTED COCKTAIL: Enjoy the perfect Old Fashioned every time with Strongwater’s refined recipe. Well-balanced, roundly smooth & layered, this is the perfect addition to your bar cart for an old fashioned cocktail kit.
- SIP AWARDS WINNER: Our Old Fashioned mix was nationally recognized as a 2025 SIP Awards Platinum winner, an elevated example of cocktail mixers.
- ORGANIC CHERRIES & ORANGE ZEST: Tart organic cherries and fresh orange peel mixed with the perfect blend of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and bitter herbs create the best Old Fashioned drink mixer.
- HANDCRAFTED BY BARTENDERS - Made by bartenders with real ingredients. The complex flavors in the craft cocktail mixer pair with aged spirits, like bourbon or rye whiskey, or even aged rum, scotch & other dark spirits.
- AWARD WINNER - Bittermilk No.1 Old Fashioned was the drink category winner of Garden & Gun magazine’s prestigious “Made in the South” Awards in 2013, and the product line has won 7+ Specialty Food Association’s SOFI Awards, including Outstanding Product Line and Best Cold Beverage.
- BOURBON BARREL AGED - Unique from other old fashioned mixes, Bittermilk old fashioned syrup is aged in freshly emptied, once-used Willett bourbon barrels to add complexity and allow the flavors intensify as it takes on notes of bourbon and charred white oak.
- You will receive (1) Aromatic, (1) Spiced Cherry, (1) Orange, and (1) Cholocate Woodford Reserve Cocktail Bitters, 2 oz each
- These bitters have been barrel-aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels
- Excellent in an Old Fashioned and other bourbon or whiskey cocktails.
- Old Fashioned Bitters - Pack of 2
- Comes in 2 glass 5 oz bottles
- Add Memorable Unique Flavor
The Essential Guide to Buying Old Fashioned Bitters
Old Fashioned bitters are the secret weapon of great cocktails. They add depth, spice, and complexity to drinks like the classic Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Sazerac. Choosing the right bitters makes a huge difference. This guide helps you pick the best bottle for your home bar.
Key Features to Look For in Bitters
When you shop for bitters, look closely at these main features. They tell you a lot about the flavor profile you will get.
Flavor Profile and Complexity
- Traditional vs. Experimental: Most bitters lean toward traditional Angostura-style flavors (cinnamon, clove, citrus peel). Newer brands offer unique twists, like chocolate, coffee, or floral notes. Decide if you want a reliable classic or something new.
- Spice Balance: Good bitters balance sweetness, bitterness, and spice. Too much bitterness overwhelms the drink. Too little means the flavor falls flat.
Aroma
Smell the bottle! A strong, appealing aroma usually means a strong flavor. The scent should match what you expect the taste to be—spicy, herbal, or fruity.
Viscosity and Color
Bitters are usually dark brown or reddish-amber. Thicker, darker bitters often carry heavier spice notes. Thin, bright bitters might focus more on citrus or herbs.
Important Ingredients: What’s Inside Matters
Bitters are made by soaking botanicals (plants) in high-proof alcohol. The quality of these ingredients directly impacts the final product.
The Base Alcohol
Most quality bitters use neutral grain spirits. This strong alcohol extracts the flavors from the herbs efficiently. Higher proof generally means better extraction. Never choose bitters made with low-quality alcohol; it can leave a harsh aftertaste.
The Botanicals
These are the flavor makers. Common ingredients include:
- Roots and Barks: Gentian root provides the necessary bitterness. Cinchona bark is another common bittering agent.
- Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg add warmth.
- Citrus Peels: Orange and lemon peels add bright top notes.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way bitters are made greatly affects how they taste in your cocktail.
Aging and Infusion Time (Improves Quality)
Allowing the botanicals to steep for a long time—sometimes months or years—lets the flavors fully develop. This creates a smoother, more integrated taste. Poorly made bitters are often rushed through this process.
Artificial Ingredients (Reduces Quality)
Avoid bitters that list artificial colors or artificial flavorings. True quality bitters rely solely on the natural infusion of herbs and spices. Natural coloring, usually from caramel or the botanicals themselves, is acceptable.
Bottle Design and Dispenser
A good dropper top is crucial. You only need a few dashes of bitters. A poorly designed top might pour out too fast, wasting expensive product and ruining your drink balance. Look for a functional, reliable dropper.
User Experience and Common Use Cases
Bitters are versatile, but they shine brightest in specific drinks.
The Old Fashioned Foundation
This is the essential test. A classic Old Fashioned uses bourbon or rye, sugar, water (or ice melt), and bitters. The bitters must cut through the sweetness of the sugar and complement the whiskey. If the bitters taste harsh here, they won’t work well anywhere else.
Cocktail Building Blocks
Use aromatic bitters (like Angostura) in Manhattans, Sazeracs, and even some rum drinks. Experiment with orange bitters in tequila cocktails or grapefruit bitters in gin drinks. They act as a flavor bridge, connecting the main spirits and mixers.
A Dash of Flair
Don’t just use them in mixed drinks. A dash or two of bitters added to sparkling water or even iced tea can elevate a simple beverage instantly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Old Fashioned Bitters
Q: What is the difference between Angostura and other bitters?
A: Angostura is the original, very spicy, and aromatic style. Other bitters focus on single profiles, like orange, chocolate, or herbal blends.
Q: How long do bitters last once opened?
A: Because they have high alcohol content, bitters last a very long time, often years, if stored in a cool, dark place. The flavor might slightly fade over many years.
Q: Should I keep my bitters refrigerated?
A: No. Room temperature storage is standard. Refrigeration can sometimes cause clouding or ingredient separation in some brands.
Q: What is the purpose of bitters in a cocktail?
A: Bitters add aromatic complexity and balance. They cut through sweetness and tie the spirit and mixer flavors together.
Q: Are all bitters very bitter?
A: Quality bitters provide balance. While they contain bittering agents, the final product should taste complex, not overwhelmingly bitter.
Q: Can I substitute one type of bitters for another?
A: Sometimes, but not always. You can often substitute one aromatic bitter for another. Substituting orange bitters for Angostura in a Manhattan changes the drink significantly.
Q: What proof is standard for cocktail bitters?
A: Most commercial bitters are bottled around 40% to 45% alcohol by volume (80 to 90 proof).
Q: How many dashes are usually needed per drink?
A: Most recipes call for 2 to 4 dashes. A dash is a small, quick shake, not a full pour.
Q: Do I need more than one bottle of bitters?
A: Yes. Every home bar should have at least one bottle of aromatic bitters (like Angostura) and one bottle of orange bitters to cover most classic recipes.
Q: Are bitters considered alcoholic?
A: Yes, they are alcoholic because of the high-proof base spirit. However, the small amount used in a single drink usually contributes negligible alcohol content.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!