Fitness
These Cocktail Bitters Will Seriously Boost Your Home Bartending
You can think of your bitters collection as the spice rack of your bar cart—essentially cocktail seasoning. These mini bottles are infused with myriad flavorful botanicals—like the herbaceous and spicy Angostura Aromatic Bitters—that shine in everything from a classic old fashioned to a tropical mai tai. Bartenders also commonly lean on orange bitters to punch up spritzes and margaritas.
In addition to the usual go-to bottles, there are lots (as in tons) of different types of bitters worth experimenting with. To help whittle down the best bitters for your at-home collection, we asked bartenders for their suggestions.
First, a quick primer on working with bitters, which includes Rule No.1: “A little goes a long way,” says mixologist Jessica King, owner of Brother Wolf, a Negroni bar in Knoxville, Tennessee. “A dash or two is all any good cocktail usually requires.”
Bartenders enjoy working with bitters because the bitter (duh), spicy, and drier flavors they bring can tame sweetening agents, like sucrose or fructose, which ultimately creates well-balanced cocktails, notes King.
While some bitters bottles can be pricey, one bottle may last a year or more. Here are 10 varieties of bitters worth investing in and experimenting with for inspired at-home cocktails.
Owl & Whale Persimmon Bitters Courtesy Image
1. Owl & Whale Persimmon Bitters
“The beauty of bitters is they can run the gamut from simple, like lemon, peach, orange, to complex—rhubarb, chamomile, pine,” says Chuckiy Bement, beverage director at The Bristol in Chicago. “These persimmon bitters are fun because, with just a drop or two, they bring about seasonal flavor to your cocktails.” Bement suggests adding them to your boozy eggnog, a mai tai, or a bourbon sour.
[$24.50; thehourshop.com]
Dashfire Sichuan Peppercorn Bitters Courtesy Image
2. Dashfire Sichuan Peppercorn Bitters
Bitters also can fall into the floral, fruity, or spicy categories. For the latter, try Dashfire Sichuan Peppercorn, which does a fine job capturing the Asian spice—with its surprise citrus element too. These bitters would add a kick to a spicy margarita, round out a tiki cocktail, or even bring out the woodsy nature of a bourbon drink, Bement suggests.
[$15.49; caputos.com]
Regan’s Orange Bitters Courtesy Image
3. Regan’s Orange Bitters
You’ll find a glut of orange bitters on the market. But Regan’s Orange Bitters are the most nuanced, and for that reason, bartenders swear by this brand. These ones are enhanced with warming spices—think cardamom, caraway, and coriander. “This pushes them beyond the straightforward, bright orange bitters that most lines carry,” says Brandon Gomez, bar manager at Cuyama Buckhorn in California’s Santa Barbara County. “I use these bitters in old fashioneds, margaritas, Aperol spritzes, and countless other drinks.”
[$8; bittersandbottles.com]
Scrappy’s Firewater Bitters Courtesy Image
4. Scrappy’s Firewater Bitters
No need to infuse an entire bottle of tequila with peppers to craft a phenomenal spicy margarita at home. Just put a drop (or two, if you dare) of these habanero bitters into your cocktail. “They are perfect for spicy margaritas or any cocktail you want to punch up with a little spice,” Gomez says. While they’re extremely spicy, these bitters aren’t pure fire. They have some floral notes too.
[$19; bittersandbottles.com]
18.21 Havana & Hide Courtesy Image
5. 18.21 Havana & Hide
These bitters have incredible notes of leather, tobacco, chicory, and clove, describes Bruce Shultz, bartender at Amor y Amargo, a bitters-centered bar in New York City. “They’re my secret weapon in any bourbon, rye, scotch, rum, or brandy old fashioned variations,” he says. “To be honest, it almost works in any stirred drink with dark spirits.” Light up a cigar as you tipple.
[$25; amaryamargo.com]
Bittercube’s Cherry Vanilla Bark Courtesy Image
6. Bittercube Cherry Vanilla Bark
Cherry vanilla bark bitters pair well with stirred drinks that have sweet vermouth (i.e. Manhattans and Negronis) because they bring out amazing hints of vanilla. “I love these bitters because they have a wonderful combo of vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, and woodsy notes,” says Shultz.
[$10; bittercube.com]
Bittermens ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters Courtesy Image
7. Bittermens ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters
With cinnamon and allspice, these tropical bitters go well with just about any drink you’d serve in a ceramic tiki mug. “They’re both bold and well balanced, with loads of intense warm spices like clove and star anise along with some lemon and orange to lighten things up,” says Noah Manskar, bartender at Colonia Verde in New York City. “They pair exceptionally well with aged rum, but also go nicely with whiskey.” He suggests adding them to a daiquiri for some extra body.
[$19; bittersandbottles.com]
Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters Courtesy Image
8. Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
For the holiday season, these nutty bitters could complement your eggnog. Or try adding a dash of black walnut bitters in an old fashioned or an Amaretto sour, suggests Jeremy Wade, bar manager at Ronan in Los Angeles. “It adds warmth and a beautifully rich, nutty flavor to any winter drink,” he says.
[$13.89; amazon.com]
18.21 Hibiscus Bitters Courtesy Image
9. 18.21 Hibiscus Bitters
The floral notes in these bitters have a fruit quality that holds its own and adds character to a classic daiquiri—”yet they’re delicate enough to turn a simple vodka soda into a refreshing cocktail,” says Tyler Routley, Bartender at Eight & Sand at Central Station Hotel in Memphis. Tart and bitter, they are a good addition to tiki drinks too.
[$20.99; 1821bitters.com]
Bittermens Winter Melon Tart Bitters Courtesy Image
10. Bittermens Winter Melon Tart Bitters
“You’ll pick up on familiar cucumber notes in these bitters, but for the wild card they also have a slightly sour flavor profile,” says Greg Kong, head bartender at Kimika in New York City. Because of this, these winter melon tart bitters can accentuate the citrus profile of any shaken drink, he explains. Pair these bitters with the craft cocktails you make with clear spirits, like blanco tequilas, gins, and vodkas.
[$17.96; astorwines.com]
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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