co*cktail bitters can account for the difference between an average co*cktail and a great one, especially when it comes to whiskey co*cktails. Bitters are essential for the modern bar because they're a key ingredient in many of the bestdrinks, especially those in which whiskey takes center stage. From the Old-Fashioned to the Manhattan, bitters play a vital role. As recently as a decade ago, Angostura Aromatic Bitters was the undisputed king of the bitters scene, but consumers now have a great variety to choose from. “Bitters are a quintessential ingredient when making a classic co*cktail," says Lynn House, Portfolio Mixologist at Heaven Hill Brands. "Remember that the classic definition of a co*cktail is spirit, water, sugar and bitters.”Detailed below are the bitters we think are the best options for your favorite whiskey co*cktails. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Orange: Best Grapefruit: Best Chocolate: Best for the Holidays: In This Article Our Picks What to Look for FAQs Why Trust The Spruce Eats? What We Like Found in a variety of recipes The most well-known bitters brand A bar staple What We Don't Like Smaller bottle; lasts 25 to 30 drinks The 8 Best Bitters for Whiskey co*cktails with Flavor Angostura is the king of bitters due to its longevity. Produced in Trinidad and Tobago since 1875, it would have been the only brand of bitters stocked in most bars as recently as 20 years ago. This bottle is instantly recognizable thanks to its oversized label and its yellow cap, and it remainsindispensable for any well-stocked bar. Essential in a Manhattan co*cktailas well as an Old-Fashioned, Angostura Aromatic Bitters have a pronounced tamarind and cinnamon flavor. If you come across any co*cktail recipe that simply says "bitters," it's very likely that it was written with this bottle in mind. The company also produces a lovely orange bitters, making this combo pack an ideal starting point for any burgeoning bitters collection. “Bitters is the seasoning for co*cktails—it’s our salt and pepper," says Heidi Turzyn, mixologist at Contento in New York City. "When working with whiskeys, I find Angostura bitters works particularly well. It has wonderful notes of herbs and spices that complement whiskeys nicely.” Size: 4 ounces | ABV: 44.7% | Ingredients: Alcohol, water, sugar, gentian, natural flavors, and caramel color What We Like Adds beautiful flavors to any spirit A classic co*cktail component What We Don't Like Bold flavors if heavy-handed Shines particularly with brown spirits Created by co*cktail guru and author Gary 'Gaz' Regan, these orange bitters have a pronounced cardamom undertone. While there are many orange bitters available on the market today, Regans' Orange Bitters are among the favorites for professionals. These bitters work well in just about any co*cktail and are especially effective when accenting great whiskey drinks. Add a dash or two to beverages like the Liberal co*cktail or Fancy Whiskey,and taste the magic for yourself. “The essential bitters to keep around would be an aromatic bitters [like Angostura], an orange bitters, and maybe some Peychaud's bitters if you're a big fan of Sazeracs or Vieux Carrés,” says Harry Jamison, General Manager of a.kitchen+bar in Philadelphia. “Those will cover the bases for almost any co*cktail you'll be making at home.” Size: 5 ounces | ABV: 45% | Ingredients: Water, alcohol, bitter orange extract, herbs, caramel What We Like Another classic bitters brand Lighter and fruitier than most bitters Excellent in a Sazerac What We Don't Like Cuts through sweetness Star anise flavors can get pretty potent Contains food coloring Essential for making a Sazerac co*cktail, Peychaud's Bitters offers up light Christmas spice notes, including clove and nutmeg. The 18th-century recipe even includes a hint of cherry. As with most bitters formulas, the secret recipe is one that is well-guarded. Not only is Peychaud's a fantastic addition to classic drinks, but you'll also want to use them to spice up modern creations. A perfect example is the American whiskey and sake recipe known as the Manhattan Love Story. Here, the bitters play well against the spice of a ginger liqueur and the result is phenomenal. Size: 5 ounces | ABV: 35% | Ingredients: Water, alcohol, herbs and spices, caramel, certified food color What We Like Unique flavor profile Excellent paired with rye What We Don't Like Not for fans of white spirits Very hoppy The Bitter Truth is one of the newer bitters producers. The company has quickly made a splash (or is it a dash?) on the bar scene. While The Bitter Truth offersmany great flavored bitters, its grapefruit is one of the most notable. Grapefruit and hops combine to make this heady, complex bitters. Try using it in drinks containing rye whiskey. A dash or two can add new life to the Algonquin, a classic rye and pineapple recipe. As a general rule, if a whiskey co*cktail has a hint of bright fruits, try these. You'll be surprised at the results. Size: 200 milliliters/6.76 ounces | ABV: 44% | Ingredients: Water, alcohol, sugar, natural herbs and spices The 7 Best co*cktail Cherries of 2024 What We Like Adds dimension to a Manhattan or Aperol Plays well in desserts Balances sweetness in coffee drinks What We Don't Like Flavors take some work to perfect Made with organic cacao nibs, Scrappy's Chocolate Bitters can add a complex dimension to many co*cktails. A Manhattan co*cktail takes on a completely different flavor profile with these bitters. You will also find that an Old-Fashioned co*cktail made with a nice sweet bourbon like Four Roses is heavenly with a dash of Scrappy's signature chocolate elixir. If you want to get adventurous, seek out co*cktails containingwhiskeyand Green Chartreuse to try with these bitters as well. “I love using chocolate bitters with whiskey,” says Turzyn. “I find the chocolate bitters complement whiskey and offer notes of cherry, walnut, cardamom, and vanilla bean, which play off the oak beautifully." Size: 5 ounces | ABV: 47.6% | Ingredients: Alcohol, distilled water, organic cacao, organic herbs, and spices What We Like Not too sweet Adds layers of spice Complements dark spirits of all kinds What We Don't Like Works best with dark spirits Not only does Woodford Reserve make great bourbon, but it also makes incredible bitters. In particular, the spiced cherry flavor is quite the hit. Inspired by the Woodford Reserve distillery and aged in real bourbon oak barrels, this premium bitters bottle complements dark spirits of all sorts. Add a couple of drops to your Manhattan, Rob Roy, or any other essential whiskey co*cktail for first-rate spiced cherry flavor. Size: 2 ounces | ABV: 45% | Ingredients: Alcohol, water, natural flavors (gentian root, cherry, spices) The 36 Best Grilling Gifts of 2024 What We Like Rich flavor Easy to sub in to classic co*cktails Family-owned, century-old company What We Don't Like Flavor can be overpowering if not careful Contains walnut, so not safe for those with nut allergies The family-owned Fee Brothers has been producing their line of co*cktail mixers and bitters in Rochester, New York, since 1864. Its black walnut bitters are one of the many iconic entries in their diverse line of bitters, and it's a favorite of home mixologists worldwide—especially when the weather starts to get a little colder. With toasty, nutty, clovey flavors, it represents a foolproof way to put a cozy holiday-friendly spin on classic co*cktails. Sub it for Angostura in an Old-Fashioned, stir up a nutty take on a Boulevardier or Rob Roy, or shake some into a Bourbon Eggnog for the ultimate wintertime treat. Your holiday party guests might just make you finish off the bottle—so you'd better ask for another one in the gift exchange. Size: 5 ounces | ABV: 6.4% | Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Natural Black Walnut Flavor What We Like Includes a full selection of bitters Travel-size Includes carrying case What We Don't Like Bottles are tiny This travel set from The Bitter Truth gives globetrotters the option to experiment with a variety of drinks no matter where life takes them. The pack includes five different-flavored 20-milliliter bottles including aromatic, orange, celery, creole, and Jerry Thomas, inspired by the late New York City bartender and "father of American mixology." For ultimate protection and portability—and a dash of style—all five mini bitters bottles arrive in a charming tin box suitable for carry-on bags (and, ultimately, a final destination on the home bar of the co*cktail connoisseur on your gifting list). Size: 100 milliliters per bottle | ABV: 38% ABV | Ingredients: Water, alcohol, herbs, spices, beat sugar The 10 Best co*cktail Glasses of 2024 Final Verdict For a tried-and-true option that won't let you down, a bottle of Angostura Aromatic Bitters is a no-brainer. For the perfect Sazerac co*cktail, we very much recommend Peychaud's Aromatic co*cktail Bitters. While the classic bitters flavors are Angostura, Orange, and Peychaud’s, there’s a world of whiskey bitters beyond them. If you’re first experimenting with the flavors of bitters, Angostura is a great bottle to start with. After you master that, try experimenting with more unusual flavors, like chocolate, grapefruit, black walnut, and whiskey barrel-aged. While most bitters brands are small-batch, a good rule of thumb is to look for bitters that use local or thoughtfully sourced herbs. “co*cktail bitters are an alcohol-based flavoring preparation often containing roots, bark, herbs and various spices,” explains Ektoras Binikos, the co-owner and mixologist of Sugar Monk in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. “Bitters add dimension to any co*cktail while balancing the chemical reaction between the sweet and sour components, providing a bridge between the flavors.” “Bitters work very well with lots of whiskey-based co*cktails,” he continues. “They supply additional earthy notes, pairing well with the aromatic components of any whiskey aged in wood barrels. They add volume as they lengthen the finish on your palate the same way tannins do for wine” Megan McClinton, the general manager at Blackland Distillery in Fort Worth, Texas, notes that you should “treat bitters similar to seasoning food with salt and pepper. A dash or two will add a depth of flavor—a base note to your co*cktails.” “Bitters aren't usually the most prominent flavor," adds Jamison, "but when they're missing, you'll notice that something is wrong." The standard whiskey co*cktails that require bitters are Old-Fashioneds, Sours, Manhattans (and their variants), and Sazeracs. Beyond those, the possibilities are endless; bitters will add layers of flavors. “In a classic whiskey sour, the bitters engage your palate with their bitter taste, balancing the sugar and citrus notes and adding complexity to the co*cktail, hence creating a more interesting flavor,” says Binikos. Lance J. Mayhew, the author of this piece, was a bartender and bar manager for over 16 years. During his time behind the bar, Lance received numerous accolades for his creative and seasonal co*cktail creations. Kate Dingwall updated this piece. She is an experienced spirits and drinks writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for six years and has concocted several of her own bitters batches out of her home. For this article, she interviewed master mixologist Ektoras Binikos, distilling expert Megan McClinton, general manager of a.kitchen+bar Harry Jamison, national spirits specialist and portfolio mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, and mixologist at Contento Heidi Turzyn. This piece was also updated by Jesse Porter, a former bartender who doesn't feel all that nostalgic about most aspects of the job, but really does miss the feeling of seeing a customer's reaction when he would create some halfway decent "bitters art" atop their whiskey sour. The Best co*cktail Muddlers for Proper Juleps, Mojitos, and More:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-bitters-for-whiskey-co*cktails-761288-SpruceEats-Primary-DD-2cb6e9b63bc24586a1bfde0f8910ac04.png "The 8 Best Bitters for Whiskey co*cktails with Flavor (1)")
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Best Spiced
Peychaud's Aromatic co*cktail Bitters
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Best Cherry
Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters
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Best for the Holidays
Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
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Best Gift Set
The Bitter Truth co*cktail Bitters Travel Set
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What to Look for in Bitters
Flavor
Ingredients
FAQs
What are bitters and what do they do to whiskey?
How much bitters should you add to whiskey?
What are some drinks that contain whiskey bitters?
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
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- Ingredient Information
