What makes a truly great Old Fashioned? Many people focus on the bourbon or the sugar cube, but the secret ingredient often hides in plain sight: bitters. These tiny dashes of flavor are the soul of the cocktail. They balance the sweetness and bring the whole drink together. If you’ve ever sipped an Old Fashioned that tasted “off,” the wrong bitters might be the culprit.
Choosing the perfect bitters can feel overwhelming. Should you stick to the classic Angostura, or explore spicy rye or rich chocolate notes? The sheer number of bottles on the shelf leads to confusion. Many home bartenders worry about buying an expensive bottle only to find it clashes with their favorite whiskey.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the best bitters specifically designed to elevate your Old Fashioned. You will learn how different flavor profiles interact with whiskey. By the end, you will feel confident choosing and using bitters to craft a perfectly balanced drink every time.
Top Bitters For Old Fashioned Recommendations
- A delicious scent of orange lollipops with the taste of sweet and bitter orange marmalade
- It's citrus notes add complexity to everything from a simple gin and tonic to sophisticated martinis
- Crafted by Fee Brothers in Rochester, New York, USA
- It's bright flavour is obtained principally from the skins of oranges grown in the West Indies
- 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.
- Adorable 5-pack gift set featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Cocktail Bitters
- Includes one each of the following flavors: Orange, Spiced Cherry, Sorghum & Sassafras, Aromatic and Chocolate
- Makes the perfect gift
- Great way to mix + match for unique Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cocktails
- Product Type:Grocery
- Item Package Dimensions:6.35 cm L X 6.604 cm W X 12.446 cm H
- Item Package Weight:0.141 kg
- Item Package Quantity:1
- IDEAL, TRADITIONAL FLAVOR | Woodsy profile with subtle hints of licorice, saffron, peel, and caramel. Perfect combination to enhance your favorite mixed drink
- STAPLE FOR DRINKS | Peychaud's is the original bitter for legendary classics like Manhattans, Old Fashioned's and Whiskey Sours. Don't ruin your favorites with other bitters
- MADE IN NEW ORLEANS | With uniquely sourced ingredients, Peychaud's bitters provide a flavor profile meant to compliment and not overbear your drinks
- SINCE 1800's | From prior to prohibition, Peychaud's was the bitter of choice. Surviving through tough times, Peychaud's stood the test of time and has since maintained to be an all time favorite
- ORIGINAL FORMULA | If it's the best, then there's no reason to change. Peychaud's perfected the recipe and has never looked back. Through the millions of drinks it has been served in, you'll know why we have changed one bit
The Essential Guide to Buying Bitters for Your Old Fashioned
Making a perfect Old Fashioned is an art. A great cocktail needs the right whiskey, the perfect sugar, and, most importantly, the right bitters. Bitters add depth and balance to your drink. They are concentrated flavor extracts. Choosing the best bitters makes a huge difference. This guide will help you select the ideal bottle for your home bar.
Key Features to Look For
Flavor Profile
The most important feature is the flavor. Classic Old Fashioneds rely on Angostura bitters. They offer spicy, aromatic notes. However, many other flavors exist. You might find citrus bitters, chocolate bitters, or even smoky varieties. Think about the base spirit you use. Bourbon often pairs well with richer, spicier flavors. Rye whiskey can handle brighter, more complex notes.
Aromatic Intensity
Bitters are strong. You only need a few dashes. Check how intense the aroma is. A high-quality bitter will have a complex smell. You should notice several layers of spice or fruit when you sniff the bottle.
Ingredients List
Always look at the ingredients. Good bitters use real botanicals. These include herbs, roots, spices, and citrus peels. Shaking the bottle should reveal sediment if it is made with real ingredients, not just artificial flavoring.
Important Materials and Production
The Base Liquid
Bitters are made by soaking botanicals in alcohol. Most traditional bitters use high-proof neutral grain spirit. This high alcohol content helps extract the maximum flavor from the herbs. Some modern craft bitters use other bases, like brandy or even glycerin for non-alcoholic versions, but alcohol is standard.
Botanicals Used
The quality of the herbs matters greatly. Look for whole spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom pods, and dried orange peel. These natural materials create the best taste. Artificial flavorings often taste flat or overly sweet.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Aging Process
Time improves bitters. Many top brands age their mixtures in barrels, similar to whiskey. This aging process mellows the harsh edges of the alcohol and allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Bitters that are aged longer generally taste smoother.
Sweeteners Used (If Any)
Some bitters are sweetened slightly. High-quality bitters use natural sweeteners like cane sugar or molasses sparingly. If a bitter tastes syrupy or overly sweet, its quality might be lower. The goal is flavor complexity, not sweetness.
Filtration Level
The level of filtration affects the final appearance. Highly filtered bitters look clear. Less filtered bitters might appear slightly cloudy or have tiny particles floating in them. This cloudiness is often a sign of natural ingredients being used, which many cocktail enthusiasts prefer.
User Experience and Use Cases
Ease of Dispensing
Consider the cap. A standard dropper top allows for precise control. You only want a few drops at a time. Bottles with large pouring spouts can lead to accidentally adding too much, ruining the cocktail. Ensure the cap fits well to prevent spills.
Versatility
While you buy them for an Old Fashioned, great bitters work in many drinks. A versatile bitter works well in Manhattans, Sours, or even sparkling water. Angostura is the king of versatility. Specialty bitters might shine only in specific cocktails.
Storage
Bitters are shelf-stable because of the high alcohol content. You do not need to refrigerate them. Store them away from direct sunlight to keep the colors and flavors consistent over time.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Old Fashioned Bitters
Q: What is the most traditional bitter for an Old Fashioned?
A: Angostura Aromatic Bitters are the most traditional and widely used choice for an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Q: How many dashes of bitters should I use?
A: Most recipes call for two to four dashes of bitters per single cocktail. Start with two and taste before adding more.
Q: Can I use cocktail bitters in cooking?
A: Yes. High-quality bitters add great flavor to desserts like chocolate cakes or fruit salads. They can also enhance savory sauces.
Q: Do bitters expire?
A: Bitters rarely “expire” due to the high alcohol content. However, their flavor intensity can fade over several years, especially if stored in direct light.
Q: What is the difference between aromatic and orange bitters?
A: Aromatic bitters (like Angostura) are spicy and complex with many ingredients. Orange bitters focus primarily on bright, citrusy notes from dried orange peels.
Q: Are non-alcoholic bitters available?
A: Yes, several companies now make non-alcoholic bitters using glycerin or other bases, allowing people to enjoy the flavor complexity without the alcohol.
Q: Should I buy cheap bitters or expensive craft bitters?
A: For an Old Fashioned, good quality matters. Craft bitters often use better ingredients and offer deeper flavors, making the slight extra cost worthwhile for a better drink.
Q: How should I store my bitters bottles?
A: Store bitters in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet or bar cart. Avoid direct sunlight, which can degrade the flavor over a long time.
Q: What is the “proof” of bitters?
A: Most bitters have a very high alcohol proof, often between 35% and 45% alcohol by volume (ABV), though some can be much higher.
Q: If my Old Fashioned tastes flat, what should I add?
A: If the drink tastes flat, it usually needs more bitterness or acidity. Try adding one more dash of aromatic bitters or a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice.