Angostura Bitters
Modified: Published: by Nora Breyer Combine Good Flavors 0 Comments
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When you’re stocking a home bar, there are a few little bottles that quickly become essentials, and Angostura bitters is one of them.
You only need a dash or two, but those few drops can completely change the way a cocktail tastes. So, what exactly are Angostura bitters, what do they taste like, and when should you reach for that instantly recognizable bottle with the oversized label?
Let’s take a closer look.
🥃 What are Angostura Bitters?
Angostura aromatic bitters are a concentrated flavoring used to add depth, spice, and balance to cocktails. Think of them almost like seasoning for a drink. You usually only need a few dashes, but they can pull all the other flavors together beautifully.
The flavor is warm, aromatic, and complex, with notes of clove, cinnamon, herbs, fruit, and spice. That makes Angostura especially good with darker spirits such as bourbon, whiskey, rye, and rum.
And there’s quite a bit of history tucked inside that little bottle.
Angostura bitters were first created in 1824 by Dr. Johann Siegert in the town of Angostura, Venezuela, which is now called Ciudad Bolívar. He originally developed the formula as a medicinal tincture for stomach ailments.
The Siegert family later moved the business to Trinidad, where Angostura bitters are still produced today.
As for exactly what goes into the bottle? That part remains a secret. The recipe for Angostura aromatic bitters has been closely guarded for generations, so while we know the flavor comes from a blend of herbs, fruits, and spices, the complete formula isn’t publicly known.
Thankfully, you don’t need to know the secret recipe to put it to good use behind your own bar.
🥃 The Classic Old Fashioned
If there’s one cocktail that shows exactly why Angostura bitters deserve a spot in your home bar, it’s the Old Fashioned.
This simple bourbon or whiskey cocktail relies on just a handful of ingredients, so every one of them matters. A few dashes of Angostura add warm spice and complexity while helping balance the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the spirit.
Add an orange peel, and suddenly you have that familiar combination of whiskey, spice, sweetness, and bright citrus that makes an Old Fashioned such a classic.
If you have a bottle of Angostura sitting in your bar and you’re wondering where to start, my classic Old Fashioned recipe is an easy one to try first.
🥃 Beyond the Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned may be one of the best-known ways to use Angostura bitters, but it’s definitely not the only one. Once you have a bottle, you’ll start noticing just how many cocktails call for a dash or two.
Try them in classics such as:
You can even add a few dashes to soda water for a very simple bitters and soda.
That’s one of the reasons I like keeping Angostura around. You use such a small amount at a time, but that tiny splash can bring extra depth to everything from whiskey cocktails to rum drinks.
🥃 Where to Buy Angostura Bitters
The good news is that Angostura bitters are fairly easy to find.
Depending on where you live, look for them in liquor stores, well-stocked supermarkets, or shops that carry cocktail mixers and bar supplies. They’re also widely available through online drinks and specialty retailers.
If you’re searching in a supermarket, check near the cocktail mixers rather than with the spirits. That little bottle is surprisingly easy to overlook.
Angostura bitters also come in different bottle sizes. Since most cocktail recipes only use a few dashes at a time, even a smaller bottle can last quite a while in a home bar.
Keep the bottle tightly closed and store it somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and heat. If your bottle includes specific storage or date information, follow the instructions on the label.
 | $ $ 20.99 |
| Bitters by Angostura | 6.7oz | USA | |
🥃 One Last Dash
Angostura bitters are one of those ingredients that don’t look particularly exciting until you start using them.
A dash here and another there can add warmth, spice, and complexity without taking over the drink. That makes them especially useful when you’re mixing simple cocktails at home.
Start with an Old Fashioned, try them in a Manhattan, or experiment with a dash in one of your own favorite whiskey or rum cocktails.
That little bottle can do a lot more than you might think.
More Cocktail Recipes
Looking for another drink to mix up? Browse more of my cocktail recipes for easy classics, seasonal favorites, and simple drinks to make at home.
