What makes a truly great Old Fashioned? Many people think it’s just bourbon and sugar, but the secret ingredient often gets overlooked: bitters! These tiny dashes of liquid hold immense power. They unlock deep flavors and balance the drink perfectly. If you just grab any bottle, your cocktail might taste flat or too spicy.
Choosing the right bitters for your Old Fashioned can feel overwhelming. Should you stick to the classic Angostura, or try something newer like chocolate or cherry? The wrong choice can throw off the entire balance of your carefully crafted drink. You want that signature aromatic complexity, not a muddled mess.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best bitters options available, explaining exactly what each one brings to your glass. By the end, you will know how to confidently select the perfect bitters to elevate your next Old Fashioned from simple to sublime. Let’s dive into the world of aromatic alchemy!
Top Bitters For Old Fashion Recommendations
- Classic cocktail flavoring.
- Used in popular drinks such as the Manhattan and Planter's Punch.
- Made with citrus oils and other spices.
- Created by Fee Brothers of Rochester, New York.
- Size: 5 fl oz.
- 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.
- POUR AND ENJOY: Fill your glass with ice, add Strongwater Old Fashioned craft cocktail syrup, then add the whiskey, bourbon, or rye of your choice. Be sure to check out our Old Fashioned bitters, like classic cherry bitters or orange bourbon bitters. Stir it up & there you have it - the perfect Old Fashioned!
- NO-NONSENSE: This flavored cocktail mix is non-GMO & gluten-free. Contains no alcohol. Best used within 3-4 months of opening.
- 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.
- SIMPLE TO USE - Just add booze. Stir 1 Part Bittermilk No.1 to 4 Parts Spirit with lots of ice, and garnish with an orange peel. The most complex and perfect old fashioned made at home with just two ingredients. Adjust the ratio recipe to your taste, and mix with your spirit of choice. Mixes best with aged spirits. Makes 17 or more cocktails per bottle.
- NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS - More than just bitters! We’ve taken classic bittering agents, like gentian root and cinchona bark, along with freshly milled spiced, burnt golden cane sugar and fresh orange peel, and slowly aged it all in bourbon barrels.
- A few dashes add a savory zest to a huge variety of drinks and foods. This highly aromatic product is blended from the finest ingredients from around the world.
- Used in small amounts, our bitters add depth, balance, and complexity to classic cocktails like the old fashioned and innovative creations alike
- A dash of bitters makes it better - Use 1-3 dashes (0.3mL) in your drink of choice, whether it's a whiskey sour or your signature cocktail
- All Fee Brothers bitters and cocktail ingredients are vegan-friendly and gluten-free
- Family-owned since 1864, Fee Brothers has perfected their craft over five generations, offering a wide range of bar essentials including bitters, botanical waters, cocktail mixers, and flavor syrups globally
- Old Fashioned Bitters - Pack of 2
- Comes in 2 glass 5 oz bottles
- Add Memorable Unique Flavor
- Made in Rochester, NY
- Available in Continental USA Only
- CLASSIC AROMATIC BITTERS FOR COCKTAILS: Crafted in small batches at Muddy River Distillery, these aromatic bitters are designed for timeless cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan. A true staple in any cocktail bitters collection.
- BALANCED FLAVOR FOR WHISKEY & BOURBON DRINKS: Carefully selected botanicals sourced for their exceptional quality and distinctive flavors. For those who want richer, more balanced cocktails with professional-quality flavor.
- AGED IN AMERICAN WHITE OAK: Barrel aging adds depth and complexity you won’t find in standard bitters. The result is a smoother, richer aromatic bitters profile that elevates classic and modern cocktails.
- VERSATILE MIXOLOGY ESSENTIAL: Perfect for whiskey cocktails, tiki drinks, sours, and spirit-free cocktails. Use a few dashes to add balance, spice, and aroma. Whether you’re mixing a traditional recipe or experimenting with new flavors. Ideal for home bartenders and professionals alike.
- MAKES A GREAT COCKTAIL GIFT: A standout bitters bottle for cocktail lovers, bourbon fans, and home bars. Pairs perfectly with a bitters set, old-fashioned kit, or other cocktail ingredients for an easy, thoughtful gift.
- 1 - 11 oz jar of Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries
- 1 - 2 oz bottle of Woodford Reserve Orange Bitters
- 1 - 16oz bottle of Woodford Old Fashioned Syrup
- Add depth and complexity to cocktails with this historic blend
- Dedication to quality and flavor adds a zesty orange twist to cocktails
- Key for classic New Orleans drinks like the Sazerac and Vieux Carre
- Versatile: Ideal for your all your mixology needs. From Old Fashioned cocktails to modern classics.
- A "Must Have"bartender kit addition. For cocktail geeks and bartenders alike.
Choosing the Best Bitters for Your Old Fashioned
An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail. Good bitters make it great. Bitters are like the secret ingredient. They add depth and balance to your drink. This guide helps you pick the perfect bitters.
Key Features to Look For
Flavor Profile
- Complexity: The best bitters have layers of flavor. You want to taste spices, herbs, and maybe a little citrus. Simple flavors taste flat.
- Intensity: Some bitters are very strong. Others are gentle. Think about how much flavor you want in your drink. A little goes a long way with strong bitters.
- Balance: Good bitters do not overpower the whiskey. They enhance it. They bring the sugar and the spirit together nicely.
Aroma
- Nose: Lift the bottle to your nose. You should smell inviting scents. Aromatic bitters should smell spicy and slightly sweet.
Ingredients and Quality
- Natural Ingredients: Look for bitters made with real botanicals. These include roots, barks, fruits, and spices.
- Alcohol Content: Most bitters use high-proof alcohol as a base. This helps pull the flavors out of the herbs. Higher alcohol content usually means better extraction.
Important Materials in Bitters
Bitters get their taste from many different plant parts. These are steeped in alcohol for a long time. This process extracts the flavors.
Common Botanicals
- Angostura Bark: This is the main ingredient in classic Angostura bitters. It gives a warm, spicy flavor.
- Citrus Peels: Orange and lemon peels add brightness. They cut through the richness of the whiskey.
- Wormwood: This herb is traditional in many bitters. It adds a slightly bitter, earthy note.
- Cardamom and Cloves: These spices provide warmth and deep, sweet spice notes.
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Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What Makes Bitters Better?
- Aging Process: Some high-quality bitters age in wooden barrels. This adds woodsy notes and smooths out the flavor.
- Small Batches: Bitters made in small batches often get more careful attention. Craft producers focus on perfecting each mix.
What Makes Bitters Worse?
- Artificial Flavors: Avoid bitters with artificial flavorings. They taste fake and harsh.
- Too Much Sugar: Bitters should not taste like syrup. Excess sugar masks the true botanical flavors.
User Experience and Use Cases
The best use for these bitters is the Old Fashioned. However, they do more than just that!
In the Old Fashioned
You need just a few dashes. This small amount of bitters ties the bourbon or rye together with the sugar cube and the orange peel. It stops the drink from tasting too sweet or too sharp.
Beyond the Old Fashioned
- Manhattans: A dash of spice bitters works wonderfully here.
- Sodas and Sparkling Water: A few drops in plain sparkling water adds a sophisticated, non-alcoholic lift.
- Cooking: Some people use aromatic bitters in baking, like in chocolate cakes or fruit pies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many dashes of bitters should I use in an Old Fashioned?
A: Most recipes call for two to four dashes. Start with two. Taste your drink. Then, add one more dash if you think it needs more depth.
Q: Are all bitters the same?
A: No. They are very different. Angostura is the most common. It is spicy and red. Orange bitters are brighter. Black walnut bitters are earthy. Choose based on the whiskey you use.
Q: How long do bitters last?
A: Because they are very high in alcohol, bitters last a very long time. They do not spoil easily. Store them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
Q: Do I need to refrigerate bitters after opening?
A: Refrigeration is not necessary. Room temperature storage is fine for most bitters. Keep the cap tightly closed to stop the alcohol from evaporating.
Q: What is the difference between aromatic bitters and cocktail bitters?
A: The terms are often used interchangeably. Aromatic bitters usually refer to the classic, dark, spicy style like Angostura. Cocktail bitters is a broader term covering all types—citrus, herbal, or spiced.
Q: Can I use bitters if I don’t drink alcohol?
A: Yes. Since you only use a few dashes, the alcohol content in the final drink is very low, almost negligible. They are used for flavor, not for the alcohol content.
Q: What is the best budget option for a beginner?
A: Angostura Aromatic Bitters is the standard choice. It is affordable and versatile. It works well in almost any classic cocktail.
Q: What flavor of bitters pairs best with bourbon?
A: Bourbon is sweet and often has vanilla notes. Pair it with aromatic bitters or cherry bitters. These flavors complement the bourbon’s sweetness.
Q: What flavor of bitters pairs best with rye whiskey?
A: Rye whiskey is spicier. Try orange bitters or chocolate/mole bitters. These stand up well to the rye’s sharp, peppery bite.
Q: Should I buy specialty bitters right away?
A: No. Start with one good bottle of aromatic bitters. Once you master the Old Fashioned, then try specialty flavors like orange or black walnut to explore different cocktails.