Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Discovering the perfect cocktail bitters for an Old Fashioned is an exciting adventure. They enhance the flavor, striking a balance between the liquor and sugar, resulting in delightful classic cocktails and unique twists.
But finding the best bitters for Old Fashioned can be challenging.
Drawing from my personal experience, we’ll explore the following handpicked selection. Read on.
Top 15 Cocktail Bitters For An Old Fashioned
15. Bittermilk No.4 New Orleans Style Old Fashioned Rouge
Average Price: approx. $17/8.5oz
Why We Like It: This is a bitters option designed to enhance your Old Fashioned with a spicy and herbal flavor.
Tinted with cochineal pigments, it creates enticing, lightly rose-colored bitters. These Old-Fashion bitters are condensed, so just a few drops will do to enhance your drink.
14. Copper & Kings Bitters
Average Price: approx. $15/4oz
Why We Like It: These Old-Fashion cocktail bitters have notes of natural herbs, oils, spices, and botanical extracts.
It’s brandy-based with orange peels and honey notes – giving the cocktail a good balance of bitter taste with sweet notes.
13. 18.21 Bitters Bitters
Average Price: approx. $20/4oz
Why We Like It: 18.21 Bitters are made with a twist and are known for their complex flavor.
We like the hints of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, as well as black currants and vanilla notes.
12. Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Average Price: approx. $13/4oz
Why We Like It: Angostura Bitters exudes a herbaceous and aromatic nose, with fruits, spices, and cinnamon flavor bursting through.
It enhances the taste of an Old-Fashioned cocktail, especially when combined with other ingredients.
11. Scrappy’s Bitters
Average Price: approx. $24/5oz
Why We Like It: If you’re a cocktail punk craving an Old-Fashioned with a touch of orange peel and intense flavor, try Scrappy’s Bitters.
“The Old Fashioned is a member of the cocktail trinity (along with the Martini and Manhattan). – George Jean Nathan, American Critic.
You can try their aromatic and orange bitters – both exuding a citrus peel and orange flavor.
10. Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bourbon Barrel Aged Cocktail Bitters
Average Price: approx. $12/100ml
Why We Like It: This cherry bitter oozes delicate cherry flavors, balancing the herbaceous bitters.
It works well with any whiskey cocktails, like Old-Fashioned. Since it’s made in used whiskey barrels, this is one of the aromatic bitters delivering an exceptional experience.
Read: Chocolate Bitters Cocktails
9. Hella Cocktail Co. Smoked Chili Bitters
Average Price: approx. $16/5oz
Why We Like It: Hella Bitters’ smoked chili adds a smoky and spicy flavor to Old-Fashioned cocktails, giving a complex flavor and depth for a completely different experience.
If you want your Old-Fashioned spicy, smoky, and rich, Hella smoked chili bitters may be just what you need.
8. Bar Keep Organic Apple Bitters
Average Price: approx. $18/8oz
Why We Like It: This gives rich flavors of caramelized apple with a warm spice. It’s versatile, working well with brandy, rum, and rye whiskey cocktails.
Aside from enhancing the flavors of your Old-Fashioned cocktail, add just a few dashes of Bar Keep bitters to your beer or favorite dessert for a unique twist.
7. Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Aromatic Bitters
Average Price: approx. $13/2oz
Why We Like It: If you like an Old-Fashioned that will spark a conversation, consider using Jack Rudy’s grapefruit bitters to add a bit of twist.
Jack Rudy Cocktail is one of our favorite bitters oozing with a citrus flavor and spice hints. Also, Jack Rudy bitters are refreshing alternatives to traditional bitters.
6. The Bitter Truth Bogart’s Bitters
Average Price: approx. $40/350ml
Why We Like It: The Bitter Truth Bogart’s Bitters has a robust flavor with dark spice, herbs, and cocoa coffee notes. However, it’s quite pricey than other cocktail bitters.
Bitter Truth uses the finest ingredients like gentian root and orange peel, responsible for their rich flavor. We suggest using the Bitter Truth – Old Time Aromatic Bitters.
5. Bittermens Boston Bittahs
Average Price: approx. $19/5oz
Why We Like It: While classic bitters are typically rich and warm, ideal for cold days, Bittermens takes the classic flavor into a drink perfect for summer.
Bittermens introduce unusual flavors, combining chamomile and citrus, giving summer aromas that linger through the Old Fashioned cocktail (or any dark rum or whiskey cocktail).
4. Peychaud’s Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
Average Price: approx. $8/5oz
Why We Like It: Peychaud’s aromatic cocktail bitters are typically used in a Vieux Carré or Sazerac cocktail. It’s more likely to have anise and licorice than other aromatic bitters.
When combined with orange zest in an Old-Fashioned cocktail, Peychaud’s bitters create a smooth and creamy finish.
3. Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6
Average Price: approx. $8/5oz
Why We Like It: Regan’s Orange Bitters gives a robust yet delicate flavor with a refreshing and delicious citrus-forward profile.
It has the perfect balance of bitter orange extracts and winter spices. The blend of flavors creates a caramel-like hint with bitter and sour flavors – perfect for aged rum or gin drinks.
2. Crude Smoked & Salt
Average Price: approx. $19/4oz (MSRP)
Why We Like It: If you like the smoked Old-Fashioned recipe, use Crude Smoked & Salt bitters. Crude bitters are strong, so it elevates the cocktail’s flavor.
The aroma of hardwood smoke lingers, with hints of salt and spice, keeping the flavor of Old-Fashioned or any classic cocktail recipes interesting.
1. Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Cocktail Bitters
Average Price: approx. $10/5oz
Why We Like It: The most notable flavor from the Fee Brothers bitters brand is the Aztec chocolate flavor, which has all the characteristics of cocoa without the sweet taste.
“Elevating Old Fashioned artistry, bitters crowned the king of flavor.” – Liquor Laboratory
Aztec chocolate bitters are the perfect addition to any classic whiskey cocktails. The cocoa flavors are the highlight of this drink while retaining the character of traditional bitters [1].
**Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary depending on the store.
FAQs Related to Best Bitters for Old Fashioned
What are bitters, and why are they important in an Old Fashioned cocktail?
Bitters are concentrated, aromatic flavorings made from herbs, spices, roots, and fruit. In an Old Fashioned cocktail, bitters are crucial as they add complexity, depth, and balance to the drink, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
What are the best bitters to use for an Old Fashioned?
The best bitters for an Old Fashioned can vary depending on personal preference, but some popular choices include Angostura Bitters, Peychaud’s Bitters, and Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6.
What is Angostura Bitters, and why is it commonly used in Old Fashioned cocktails?
Angostura Bitters is a concentrated bitters made from a blend of herbs and spices. It’s a staple ingredient in many cocktails, including the Old Fashioned, because of its versatile flavor profile, which includes notes of herbs, spices, and citrus.
How does Peychaud’s Bitters differ from Angostura Bitters, and why is it a good choice for Old Fashioned cocktails?
Peychaud’s Bitters has a sweeter and lighter flavor profile compared to Angostura Bitters, with hints of anise and cherry. It’s a great choice for adding complexity and a unique twist to Old Fashioned cocktails.
What is Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6, and how does it enhance the flavor of an Old Fashioned?
Regans’ Orange Bitters No. 6 is a citrus-forward bitters with prominent orange peel flavors. It adds brightness and depth to Old Fashioned cocktails, complementing the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the whiskey.
Are there any other bitters that work well in Old Fashioned cocktails?
Yes, there are many other bitters available that can work well in Old Fashioned cocktails, depending on personal taste preferences. Some options to consider include Fee Brothers Old Fashion Aromatic Bitters, Scrappy’s Aromatic Bitters, and Bittercube Trinity Bitters.
In Summary
Bitters are similar to liqueurs and spirits – with various flavors. Their composition’s herbaceous and simple nature makes them an ideal choice for Old-Fashioned [2].
The Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate is our favorite for its unique cocoa notes and perfect balance. But, depending on your preference, you can opt for other options like Crude, Bogart’s, Hella, and Jack Rudy aromatic bitters if you want an unusual twist.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/bitters
- https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/a12026118/old-fashioned-vs-manhattan-cocktails/
