The Best Bitters for Your Old Fashioned Cocktail: Expert Recommendations

The Old Fashioned (opens in new window) has been a go-to cocktail for bourbon lovers since the early 1800s. This classic clinker is easy to make with a simple combination of bourbon, sugar, and bitters. In this guide, we take a look at the best bitters for Old Fashioned cocktails, why they matter, and how you can use them to add a bit of oomph to your mixed drinks at home. 

What do bitters do in an Old Fashioned?

Flavor complexity and balance

If you’re wondering why to use bitters in an Old Fashioned, think of them as the magic touch that transforms it from simple to extraordinary. They add depth through layers of flavors, from spicy and herbal to citrusy and floral, and help balance how sweet or alcoholic the drink tastes. That’s why it’s important to think about how the bitters you choose will mingle with the bourbon you’re using.   

For example, Angostura bitters add a robust, spicy kick, while orange bitters give a zesty brightness. The key is to find bitters that will balance and boost the overall flavor profile of your cocktail.  

The ABCs of Bitters: Bitters for Beginners 

Ingredients and quality

The ingredients in bitters can make or break your recipe, as they help give complexity to your drink and avoid the risk of it tasting flat. The perfect Old Fashioned drink uses bitters made with natural herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals, ensuring a purer and more nuanced flavor. 

Avoid bitters with artificial flavors or additives. The best bitters for an Old Fashioned cocktail are small-batch or artisanal bitters, which often feature higher-quality ingredients and traditional methods of production. These bitters not only taste better but also add a touch of authenticity to your cocktail. Remember: the better the ingredients, the better the drink.

The best bitters for an Old Fashioned

Angostura bitters

Tasting notes: aromatic with hints of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. 

Use: Angostura bitters are a classic choice for their warm, spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of sugar and the richness of bourbon. We recommend using them when you want a traditional, spirit-forward Old Fashioned with a smooth, aromatic finish. They work especially well with bourbons or whiskeys that have caramel, vanilla, oak, or baking-spice notes, like Wild Turkey (opens in new window). The best Angostura bitters for an Old Fashioned are the ones that enhance those flavors without overpowering the base spirit. 

Orange bitters

Tasting notes: bright, citrusy with a bitter orange peel finish. 

Use: Orange bitters add a refreshing zest that brightens the overall flavor of the Old Fashioned, especially if you’re using a slightly sweeter bourbon. An Old Fashioned with orange bitters makes a lighter, livelier serve than a deep, spice-led classic, and they pair especially well with softer bourbons or whiskeys that already show notes of vanilla, caramel, honey, or orange peel. The best orange bitters for Old Fashioned drinks are the ones that sharpen the whiskey’s profile without tipping the cocktail into anything too perfumed, giving it a fresh and modern feel. 

Learn more: Manhattan vs Old Fashioned: Differences and Similarities (opens in new window)

Aromatic bitters

Tasting notes: warm, spiced, and aromatic, with notes of clove, cinnamon, and baking spice. 

Use: Aromatic bitters are the go-to when you want a classic, full-flavored Old Fashioned with plenty of depth and a smooth, balanced finish. They work especially well with bourbons and whiskeys that show caramel, vanilla, oak, or rye spice, and the best aromatic bitters for your Old Fashioned are the ones that lift those notes without stealing the spotlight.

A bottle reference: Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters is a great example of how to take the drink in a more exotic direction, adding spicy depth with a touch of citrus and mint for a bold, fragrant and unexpected Old Fashioned. 

Cherry bitters

Tasting notes: cherry-forward with hints of anise, floral spice and a softly sweet finish. 

Use: Cherry bitters are a great choice when you want an Old Fashioned with a little more fruit and fragrance without losing that whiskey-first feel. They work especially well with bourbons and whiskeys that already lean into vanilla, caramel, baking spice, or dried-fruit notes. An Old Fashioned with cherry bitters tends to feel smoother, rounder and more playful than a classic aromatic version. 

A bottle reference: Peychaud’s Bitters is a handy place to start, since its cherry, anise and floral notes create a lighter, brighter spin than a heavy, jammy bitters. 

Chocolate bitters

Tasting notes: rich chocolate with hints of coffee, vanilla, and warm spice. 

Use: Chocolate bitters are a great pick when you want an Old Fashioned to feel deeper, richer and a little more indulgent. They work especially well with bourbons and whiskeys that already show notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, or roasted coffee. An Old Fashioned with chocolate bitters tends to come out smooth, rounded and slightly dessert-like without losing its whiskey backbone. 

A bottle reference: Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters is a solid place to start, since it brings cocoa depth and a touch of warm spice that makes chocolate bitters feel bold rather than sugary.

Black walnut bitters

Tasting notes: nutty and earthy, with hints of warm spice, dark chocolate and a lingering toasted finish. 

Use: Black walnut bitters are a great choice when you want an Old Fashioned to feel a little more autumnal than the classic version. They work especially well with bourbons and whiskeys that already show caramel, vanilla, oak, maple, or rye-spice notes, since the nutty bitterness adds richness without crowding the base spirit. The result is a smoother, darker, more savory Old Fashioned with a cozy, slow-sipping feel. 

Old Fashioned variations to try

The Old Fashioned is a highly adaptable cocktail recipe that can be tailored and tweaked to suit a variety of taste preferences. Here are a few of our favorite spin-offs to try at home:  

• Rum Old Fashioned 

• Añejo Old Fashioned 

• Apple Butter Old Fashioned 

• Smoked Old Fashioned 

• Freezer Door Old Fashioned 

• Grand Old Fashioned 

• Japanese Old Fashioned 

How to use bitters in an Old Fashioned

Proper amount & technique for adding bitters

For a classic Old Fashioned, start with 2-3 dashes of bitters. The bitters should be added directly to the glass with the sugar cube (or simple syrup) and a splash of water. Muddle these ingredients together to dissolve the sugar: this will ensure that the bitters are properly mixed into the drink, providing a balanced flavor.  

If you’re wondering how much bitters in an Old Fashioned is enough, 2–3 dashes is usually the sweet spot: it adds spice and depth, but not so much that the bitters take over the whiskey. As a rough guide, one dash of bitters is about 10 drops, so even a small extra shake can noticeably change the flavor. Start with 2 dashes for lighter or more delicate spirits, then move up to 3 if you want a bolder, more aromatic finish.

Experimenting with different bitters

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different bitters to achieve a perfect Old Fashioned cocktail. Combine orange bitters with aromatic bitters for a citrusy-spicy combo or use a dash of chocolate bitters with classic aromatic bitters for a richer, dessert-like twist. The key is to start with small amounts and adjust to taste, allowing you to create a cocktail that’s uniquely yours. 

Old Fashioned without bitters

Can you make an Old Fashioned without bitters? Technically, you can, the same way you can wear a tux without shoes. Doable, yes. Ideal? It depends. Your cocktail will lose some of the spice, structure, and edge that make it such a classic in the first place. Still, some rules are made for breaking — who hasn’t danced fully dressed and barefoot at a beach wedding? 

There are plenty of substitutes for bitters in an Old Fashioned, but they all take the drink in a slightly different direction. If you want a bitter, herbal edge, try a few drops of Campari or an amaro; if you want brightness, lean on orange peel or a little extra citrus oil; and if you want warmth and depth, infused syrup, baking spices, botanical smoke, or even over-steeped black tea can do some of the heavy lifting. You can also muddle orange and cherry for a fruitier, sweeter, more old-school style of serve, though that will taste softer and less sharply defined than the classic cocktail. 

Expert insights

Still curious? We’ve got you sorted! Let’s dive deeper into the history of bitters, which boasts a remarkable 9000-year history. It originated in China around 7000 BCE as a rice wine infused with artemisia and botanicals. This traditional blend journeyed through the Silk Road, influencing Western practices. By Roman times, ‘vinum gustaticium’ had become a ritual appetizer, evolving into a honey-sweetened wine infused with spices. Check out the video below for more info.  

WATCH: The history of bitters and aperitivo 

In short, when it comes to making the perfect Old Fashioned, the choice of bitters plays a crucial role in shaping the cocktail’s flavor profile. Experiment with different bitters and bourbon pairings to find the combination that best suits your taste. The beauty of mixology is in the exploration, so don’t hesitate to try out various options and discover your personal favorite. Tag us on Instagram (opens in new window) to share your sips and sign up for our newsletter to receive more inspiration monthly.