Understanding the Differences Between Aromatic and Orange Bitters
When experimenting with cocktails, the choice between aromatic bitters vs orange bitters can make a significant difference in the final taste profile. Aromatic bitters, with their blend of botanicals and spices, add depth and complexity to a wide range of cocktails, imparting warm and earthy undertones. On the other hand, orange bitters contribute a vibrant burst of citrus notes that can brighten up any drink, providing a zesty and refreshing sensation on the palate. In this blog, we will uncover the distinctive characteristics of each type of bitters and guide you in choosing the perfect complement for your favorite cocktails.
What Are Aromatic Bitters?
Aromatic bitters, true to their name, are known for their rich and complex aromas. They are a classic choice for cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, typically incorporating flavors such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, as well as bittering agents like gentian root and cinchona bark. These bitters infuse drinks with a warming, spiced profile that can transform a simple beverage into a sophisticated, multi-dimensional cocktail, and a bitter backbone that helps to balance sweet and sour elements in a drink.
First created in 1824, Angostura has been the standard-bearer in aromatic bitters for over a hundred years, and can be found in just about every bar in the world. Our Aromatic Bitters are styled similarly, but are made by hand in small batches with organic, wild foraged, and gut-friendly ingredients like dandelion root, burdock, and milk thistle seed.
Aromatic Bitters 4oz
$26.50
Bold and spicy, our Aromatic bitters are loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Deep, earthy flavors are lifted by ginger and a backbone of bitter gentian. Crafted for cocktails with or without alcohol, these bitters are perfect in classics like an Old Fashioned or… read more
What Are Orange Bitters?
Orange bitters offer a different, but equally important, set of characteristics. Packed with orange peel and various complementary spices, these bitters provide a refreshing, citrusy note to cocktails like the gin martini, margarita, Negroni, and can even enhance wheat beer in the same way that a squeeze of fresh orange might. Like most bitters, they're also delightful when simply mixed with sparkling water to create bitters and soda, an easy and refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail.
Orange bitters come in a range of styles. On one end of the spectrum, bitters like Fee Brothers West Indian Orange are overtly citrusy and straightforward, without much balancing spice. Meanwhile Regans' Orange Bitters—the release of which almost singlehandedly sparked the bitters renaissance of the late 2000s—are so packed full of cardamom, coriander, and caraway seed that orange is almost a secondary flavor. In fact, these two bitters are often mixed by bartenders in a 50/50 blend to make "Feegans" orange bitters, combing the best of both worlds.
All The Bitter's Orange Bitters strike a balance between fresh and zesty sweet orange peel with bitter orange, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and a unique herbal note that comes from lemon balm. While they can and should be used wherever Orange bitters are called for, they contain enough spice to stand in for aromatic bitters, and work even better when combined with them in and Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Negroni.
Orange Bitters 4oz
$26.50
Our gold medal-winning Orange bitters add citrus and spice to any cocktail. Crafted with three varieties of orange peel plus cardamom, coriander, lemon balm, and warm spices for a profile that's as herbal and spiced as it is zesty. Designed for versatility,… read more
Crafting Quality Bitters
While both aromatic and orange bitters serve their unique purpose in cocktail creation, the best bitters are those that are crafted with thought and care. Our bitters are 100% handmade with raw, organic botanicals—not assembled with commercial extracts and flavors like many mass-produced bitters are—ensuring a high-quality flavor profile. They are entirely free from added flavors, essences, sugars, colors, preservatives, and GMOs. Moreover, they contain absolutely 0.0% alcohol, making them accessible for everyone, regardless of their alcohol consumption preferences.
Choosing Between Aromatic and Orange Bitters
The magic of bitters lies in their ability to enhance and balance the flavors in your drink. Whether you opt for aromatic bitters or orange bitters depends on the flavor profile you're aiming for. Aromatic bitters are the perfect match for drinks that benefit from a deep, spiced undertone, while orange bitters are ideal for cocktails requiring a refreshing, citrusy twist.
When it comes to choosing between aromatic bitters and orange bitters, why not experiment with both? After all, the art of mixing drinks is all about creativity, exploration, and personal preference. Discover the differences between these bitters, their unique flavors, and how they elevate your cocktails. Choose the right bitters for your preferred flavor profile and spice up your life, a few dashes at a time.
