Cocktails with Angostura aromatic bitters
Angostura aromatic bitters is a concentrated, high-proof gentian-based bitters steeped with a secret blend of herbs and spices — the bar’s most universal bottle, a warm spiced bitterness that suits almost any drink.
ABV44.7%High, but negligible in use since it’s only ever dashed.
How it's used
It’s the bar’s all-purpose seasoning: a dash or two rounds out and ties together whiskey and rum drinks, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan. A dash floated on a sparkling drink or a fizz is a classic aromatic touch. The rare exception is the Trinidad Sour, which pours a full 45 ml of Angostura and makes the bitters the base of the drink.
Substitutes for Angostura aromatic bitters
The closest swap is another aromatic bitters, dash for dash: the drink keeps its spiced bitterness, and only the lead spices change. Peychaud’s also works dash for dash; it is lighter and anise-led, and tints the drink red. Orange bitters is a weaker fit: it brightens the drink instead of warming it. With no bitters at all, a drink full of other flavors can skip its dash or two; it just tastes simpler. An Old Fashioned needs bitters of some kind, so Peychaud’s or orange is better than none.
Peychaud’s bitters
The New Orleans bitters of the Sazerac: lighter than Angostura, floral and anise-led, and bright red.
Orange bitters
Built on orange peel rather than warm spice.
