Cocktails with Angostura aromatic bitters
Angostura aromatic bitters is a concentrated, high-proof bitters built on gentian, with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Its bitterness is warm and spiced.
ABV44.7%That is high in the bottle, but negligible in most drinks, since it is usually dashed.
How it's used
A dash or two seasons whiskey and rum drinks, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan, and ties their flavors together. Dashed over a fizz or a sparkling drink, it adds aroma on top. The big exception is the Trinidad Sour, which uses a full 45 ml and makes the bitters its base.
Substitutes for Angostura aromatic bitters
Angostura-style bitters
Other classic aromatic bitters with a similar flavor work dash for dash. The spiced bitterness stays, only the finer notes change.
Peychaud’s bitters
This famous Creole bitters goes in at the same count. But it is lighter and more floral, pulls the flavor toward anise and tints the drink red.
A weaker fit, since it changes the balance itself. Angostura gives the drink the warmth of dark spices, while orange bitters pulls it toward citrus brightness.
No bitters
In a drink full of other strong ingredients, losing a couple of dashes only simplifies the flavor a little. A strict classic like the Old Fashioned simply does not work without bitters, so Peychaud’s or orange bitters beats nothing.
