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Oregon Wines at Pascale’s Liquors | Liverpool, NY
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Nick's Comprehensive Guide: Wine 101
Trip Guide: German Wine Country | Pascale’s Liquors in Liverpool, NY
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Liquors 101: Nick’s Comprehensive Guide to Spirits and Mixology
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Fortaleza Tequila: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo Varietie
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Jennifer Lopez's Delola - The Ultimate Summertime Cocktail Experience
The Best Scotch Whiskey
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Elijah Craig Small Batch: A Taste of Kentucky Tradition
Steel 43 Vodka: A Premium San Antonio Spirit
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Germany's Digestive Elixir: Underberg Digestif Natural Herb Bitters
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Classic Margarita Recipe
Best Mocktails 2024
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Order History
Save NY Wine Nick Pascale Letter
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Wine
By Style
Red
White
Rosé
Sparkling
Organic
Dessert/Port/Sherry
Low Calorie
By Varietal
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Red Blend
Sangiovese
By Country
France
Italy
Spain & Portugal
Germany
Argentina & Chilie
United States
New Zealand
Explore
New Arrivals
Staff Picks
On Sale
Best Sellers
Spirits
By Type
Ready To Drink (Cans)
Vodka
Sake
Tequila & Mezcal
Rum
Gin
Liqueur & Creams
Whiskey
Bourbon
Rye
Scotch
Brandy
Soju
Explore
Whiskey Standings
Private Barrel Picks
Staff Picks
On Sale
Best Sellers
Cocktail Essentials
Mixers
Bitters
Barware
Syrups
Accessories
By Type
Bags
Bar Ware
Bottle Stoppers
Cork Screws
Glassware
Wine Club
Weekly Ad
Tasting Calendar
Store Info
Store Info
Location, Delivery & Hours
Contact Us
About Nick
Our Expertise
Our Staff
Notifications
Wine Club
Wine Blog
Top 10 Sparkling Wines
Seafood Wine Pairing
Top Food Pairings
How Wine Is Made
Thanksgiving Guide
Organic Wines
Ultimate BBQ Wine Guide
Learn About Sweet Wine
Do You Need A Decanter For Your Wine
Moscato Wine: The Sweet and Sparkling World of Moscato
Trip Guide: Wine Tasting in Italy
Wine Tasting 101
Sulfites in Wine: Should You Be Worried?
Oregon Wines at Pascale’s Liquors | Liverpool, NY
The History, Heritage, and Craftsmanship Behind Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
Nick's Comprehensive Guide: Wine 101
Trip Guide: German Wine Country | Pascale’s Liquors in Liverpool, NY
Cork Vs Screw Cap: How They Influence Wine’s Flavor Profile
Essential Guide to Top 3 White Wine Varietals
Trip Guide: Spanish Wine Country | Pascale’s Liquors in Liverpool, NY
About Rose Wines
Trip Guide: Spanish Wine Country
Spirits Blog
Barrel Finishes
What Are Bitters?
Sprinter Vodka Cocktails
Explore Tequila Regions
On the Rocks Cocktails
Lalo Tequila Guide
Tequila Homepage
Barrel Aging
Jinro Soju
Penelope Bourbon
Fall Favorites
Best Budget Bourbons
Discover Tequilas & Mezcal
Barrel Picks: Behind the Scenes
All About Bourbon
All About Don Julio Tequila
El Tesoro Tequila
Discovering Frank August Small Batch and Single Barrel Bourbon
Liquors 101: Nick’s Comprehensive Guide to Spirits and Mixology
Everything You Need to Know About Rum
Central New York Hard Ciders: Everything You Need to Know
Everything About Vodka
All About Teremana Tequila
Learn About Cazcanes Tequila
Fortaleza Tequila: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo Varietie
Nick’s Deep Dive: Old Forester 1910
All About Old Forester 1924 Bourbon
Exploring the Science of Flavor: How We Taste Wines and Spirits
Everything About Cutwater Spirits Canned Cocktails
Introduction to Starlight Distillery
Jennifer Lopez's Delola - The Ultimate Summertime Cocktail Experience
The Best Scotch Whiskey
What is Cristalino Tequila?
Everything You Need to Know About Traveler Whiskey
Elijah Craig Small Batch: A Taste of Kentucky Tradition
Steel 43 Vodka: A Premium San Antonio Spirit
The Luxury and Legacy of Côte d'Azur Vodka
Germany's Digestive Elixir: Underberg Digestif Natural Herb Bitters
Cocktail Recipes
Top Spring Cocktails
Classic Margarita Recipe
Best Mocktails 2024
Halloween Cocktails
Fall Cocktails
Summer Vodka Cocktails
My Account
Order History
Save NY Wine Nick Pascale Letter
Special Order
What are Cocktail Bitters?
Bitters are an indispensable component in the art of cocktail making. At Pascale's Liquors, located at
7401 Oswego Road in Liverpool, NY
, you will find an extensive collection of the finest cocktail bitters, essential for both classic and innovative concoctions.
Using bitters in cocktails is like adding a dash of exotic spices to a gourmet meal; it enhances flavors, adds depth, and can transform a simple drink into a complex masterpiece. Bitters are essentially a concentration of select botanicals—like herbs, barks, roots, and fruits—infused in alcohol. Their primary role is not just to add bitterness but to harmonize the various components of a cocktail so that no component dominates the other ingredients in the drink.
The History of Bitters
The origin of bitters can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who were perhaps the first to infuse medicinal herbs in jars of wine. This practice was refined through the ages, notably by the Romans and later in the Middle Ages, when the distillation of alcohol allowed for more potent medicinal tinctures. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that bitters found their place in the world of cocktails. Originally used as a digestive aid, bartenders began incorporating bitters into alcoholic beverages to enhance their flavor. The iconic Angostura Bitters, for example, created in 1824 by Dr. Johann Siegert, remains a staple in bars worldwide.
Best Cocktail Bitters
Bitters are broadly categorized into two types: aromatic and non-aromatic. Aromatic bitters, such as Angostura and Peychaud's, are known for their complex flavors with floral, spice, and herb notes. Non-aromatic bitters, on the other hand, focus on a single flavor, like The Bitter Truth's orange bitters. However, the modern market is brimming with an array of bitters, each offering unique profiles that can elevate a cocktail from good to unforgettable.
The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
Dominant aromas of bitter orange peel lead, complemented by the spicy notes of cardamom, caraway, and nutmeg.
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Peychaud's Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
With aromas of licorice, saffron, citrus, peel, and caramel, this classic bitter is lighter, fruitier, and less astringent.
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How to Use Cocktail Bitters
At its core, bitters serve three main purposes in cocktails: balance, complexity, and aroma. By adding some astringency, bitters counteract the sweetness of the mixers and the harshness of the alcohol, creating a balanced drink that is neither too sweet nor too potent. They introduce an array of subtle flavors and aromas that can complement the primary ingredients, adding layers of complexity to every sip.
Cocktail Bitters in Modern Mixology
The resurgence of cocktail culture in the 21st century has brought with it a renewed interest in bitters. Mixologists around the globe have been experimenting with homemade bitters, infusing them with everything from exotic fruits to bacon. This innovation extends to the cocktails themselves, with classics being reimagined and new creations being developed with bitters at their heart. The use of bitters now goes beyond traditional cocktails; they are being used in non-alcoholic beverages, cooking, and even as a therapeutic aid.
Bourbon Bitters Cocktails: Are They Good?
Heublein 1792 Manhattan
A ready to drink cocktail with the perfect combination of bitters, bourbon, and vermouth. 35% ABV
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Heublein 1792 Old Fashioned
Made using the classic Old Fashioned recipe with just the right amount of sweetness and bitter complexity. 35% ABV
Buy Now
Yes, bourbon and bitters work very well together in cocktails! Bitters add a complex layer of flavor, enhancing the depth and character of bourbon without overpowering its natural flavors. Here are a few classic and popular bourbon cocktails that utilize bitters:
Old Fashioned:
This timeless cocktail showcases the smoothness of bourbon with a touch of sweetness and the complexity of bitters. It's typically made with bourbon, sugar (or simple syrup), and Angostura bitters and garnished with an orange peel or cherry.
Manhattan:
Another classic cocktail that combines bourbon with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, often garnished with a cherry. This drink highlights the spicy notes of bourbon balanced by the sweetness of vermouth.
Boulevardier:
Similar to a Negroni but with bourbon replacing gin, this cocktail blends bourbon with sweet vermouth and Campari, offering a bitter, sweet, and spicy flavor profile.
Whiskey Sour:
While not always made with bitters, a dash can add an extra dimension to the mix of bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar. A variant, the New York Sour, adds a float of red wine on top, which works surprisingly well with the complexity added by bitters.
Sazerac:
A New Orleans classic that combines rye whiskey or bourbon with absinthe, a sugar cube, and Peychaud's bitters. It's known for its complex flavor profile that's both spicy and aromatic.
When using bitters in bourbon cocktails, it's all about balance. Start with a few dashes of bitters and adjust to taste. The goal is to complement the bourbon's natural flavors without overshadowing them. Bitters are potent, so a little goes a long way in adding depth and complexity to your cocktail.
Upgrade Your Home Bar with Bitters!
Using bitters adds a dash of history, flavor – and in some cases – innovation, turning simple beverages into sophisticated cocktails. For those looking to delve deeper into the world of bitters and bourbon cocktails, Pascale’s Liquors at
7401 Oswego Road in Liverpool, NY
, offers a curated selection. Visit
www.pascalesliquor.com
or call (315) 701-0781 for more information.