Month: November 2011

Bitters

Malta Knights’ Bitters

Presumably this is a bitter named after the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem founded around 1023 as the Knights Hospitaller and eventually just the Knights of Malta. In 1119 the Knights Hospitaller and the Knights Templar were formed, but when the Templars were disbanded in 1312 most of their assets went to the Hospitallers. After being […]

Bitters

Seamens Bitters

The preferred bitter of the sea-going captains or possibly just a name. This recipe is classified as a “strong bitter” and is in the same category as Angostura, Calisaya and Hop bitters. Seamens Bitters Recipe: Cardamom 3 oz Nutmeg 5 oz Coriander 8 oz Cinnamon ½ lb Cloves ½ lb Allspice ½ lb Caraway ½ lb Calissaya Bark 1 lb […]

Bitters

Italian Bitters

This recipe creates an Italian-style aromatic bitters. The source of this recipe groups aromatic bitters with things like Benedictine and Chartreuse. Cocktail type bitters would be called “Strong Bitters”. Italian Bitters Recipe: Rosemary Leaves 2 oz Thyme 5 oz Sage 5 oz Majoram 5 oz Cloves 7 oz Cinnamon 8 oz Orris Root 12 oz Wormwood 12 oz Fennel 12 […]

Bitters

Hartz Bitters

Not much is know about this aromatic bitters recipe. Hartz Bitters Recipe: Nutmeg 3 oz Ginger 5 oz Cinnamon Bark 8 oz Cloves 8 oz Cascarilla Bark 1 lb Gentian Root 1½ lbs Bitter Orange Fruits 2 lbs Calamus Root 4 lbs Instructions Combine the ingredients in a mortar and grind to a coarse powder and then pack in a […]

Bitters

Cholera Bitters

This recipe makes a “Stomach Bitters” essence which was obviously thought to aid people afflicted with cholera. Having a case of cholera is unpleasant and has many nasty side effects which results in severe dehydration. It is very unlikely that this recipe would help. Cholera Bitters Recipe: Cinnamon Bark ¼ lb Angelica Root ½ lb Gentian Root ¾ lb Zedoary […]

Bitters

French Bitters

This recipe comes from 1871 and was named French Bitters by it’s creator Antoine Desaulniers from Oswego, New York. Like many of the early bitters, they claimed this particular recipe could alleviate stomach cramps and headaches. French Bitters Recipe: Instructions Combine ingredients, crushing if necessary and allow to macerate for five weeks, shaking occassionaly. After five weeks, strain the liquid, […]

Bitters

Nelson Bitters

Not much is known about this bitter recipe. Nelson Bitters Recipe: Bitter Orange Fruit 1 lb Calamus Root 2 lbs Zedoary Root 2 lbs Galanga Root 2 lbs Gentian Root 3 lbs Instructions Macerate the herbs and spices in To make the bitters, take 10 ounces of the stock essence and it to 4 gallons of 70% overproof spirit, plus […]

Bitters

Boker’s Bitters

A well know bitters from the 1800s that was used in some cocktails. Boker’s Bitters Recipe: Bitter Orange Peel 45 g Quassia 30 g Calamus 30 g Catechu 15 g Cardamom 10 g Alcohol 90% 300 ml Water 180 ml Instructions Mix the solids, reduce to a fine powder and extract by slow percolation with the alcohol. To prepare the […]

Bitters

Cocktail Bitters

This is a generic recipe for a typical cocktail bitters taken from the book “The Art of blending and compounding liquors and wines” by Joseph Fleischman. Cocktail Bitters Recipe: Spirits 30 gal Bitter Orange Peel 8 lbs Cinnamon Bark 8 lbs Cudbear* 4 lbs Canalles 1 lb Quassia Chips ½ lb Gentian Root ½ lb Grains of Paradise ½ lb […]