What are the Best Bitters for an Old Fashioned?
In the grand theatre of cocktails, bitters are the unsung heroes. A tiny dash that defines the drama, the final brushstroke on a masterpiece. A whisper of spice, a hint of citrus, a splash of herb and suddenly, your cocktail flavour balance sings in perfect harmony.
Bitters, and particularly craft bitters, have exploded in the last decade, with the traditional aromatic bitters being exchanged for chocolate, walnut, orange or cardamom bitters, as cocktail innovation continues to push the boundaries of what a whiskey cocktail (or any cocktails for that matter) can be.
With expert mixology tips, clever bitters pairing ideas, and a few pro insights, this guide will break down why bitters matter, what to look for when choosing them, which bottles belong on every bar shelf and the best bitters for an Old Fashioned to get the flavour complexity you desire.
Why Bitters Matter in an Old Fashioned?
What exactly are bitters? Think of them as botanical-infused alcohol “seasoning”. A blend of herbs, roots, and citrus peels used sparingly to balance sweetness and add intrigue.
Bitters can have subtle impact or can do some heavy behind the scenes lifting to a cocktails taste profile. Depending on what you have to hand, bitters can tame sweetness, deepen existing flavours and bridge gaps in terms of balance.
In a cocktail like the Old Fashioned, aromatic bitters (or any bitters) are beyond valuable. In a classic Old Fashioned that relies on sugar, and some water to temper the strength of the whiskey, bitters help bridge the gap, pulling back some of whiskey’s notes and adding an herbal tartness that balances the drink beautifully.
But it’s not just the classic Old Fashioned where bitters play a vital role. Check out our cocktails with bitters to see how this magic ingredient enhances flavour across different drinks.
What to Look for When Choosing Bitters
Choosing the best bitters for an Old Fashioned isn’t about fancy packaging; it’s about matching your bitters to your whiskey. Here’s your checklist of expert mixology tips for picking the right bottle:
Balance & subtlety: Good bitters are like good perfume. You want bitters that enhance your cocktail flavour balance, not overpower it.
Flavour profile: Consider botanicals (citrus, spice, herbal, chocolate) that complement your whiskey and the other flavours in your cocktail. If you have a sweet fruity cocktail, citrus bitters might get a bit lost or push it too far in one direction.
Versatility: Look for bartending staples (aromatic, orange, walnut, rhubarb) that work in other drinks too. Bitters have a pretty good shelf life, but they don’t last forever. So, pick ones that can be used across a range of cocktails.
Concentration: A few dashes of any bitters can go a long way. So, salt to taste… or dash to sip in this case.
Reputation: Trusted craft bitters brands often deliver consistent quality and well-defined tasting notes. Angostura (not a promotion, just an observation) is a long-standing bitters brand favoured by bartenders.
Did we mention balance? Oh, we’ll mention it again for safety. Balance. Balance. Balance. Bitters and balance go hand in hand.
Top Bitters Recommendations for an Old Fashioned
There’s no single winner for the best bitters for an Old Fashioned, but here are some time-tested favourites that define what great bitters pairing looks like.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters:
The icon. A cornerstone of bartending staples, Angostura aromatic brings warming spice, herbal depth, and a perfectly balanced bitterness that harmonizes beautifully with Irish whiskey.
Regan’s Orange Bitters No. 6:
Zesty and bright, these craft bitters lift your Old Fashioned with vibrant citrus — ideal for fans of a lighter, more refreshing whiskey cocktail.
Peychaud’s Aromatic Bitters:
Softer and slightly sweeter than Angostura, with cherry and anise tasting notes that add depth without overwhelming.
Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters:
Rich chocolate and spice make this a must-try for fans of cocktail innovation. It pairs beautifully with whiskey, adding velvety warmth and unique flavour complexity.
Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters:
A burst of spice and sophistication that deepens your Old Fashioned. Perfect for those exploring the art of mixology.
Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters:
Nutty and earthy, this one adds a cozy, autumnal twist to your whiskey cocktail enhancements.
Old Fashioned Variations & their Bitters
Swapping out bitters is the fastest way to transform your flavour profile. Change your bitters, change the type of Old Fashioned you’re drinking. It’s kinda that simple. Here are a few Jameson variations that show just how dynamic bitters pairing can be:
Classic Old Fashioned: The original. The standard. Aromatic bitters keep things balanced here. However, if you’re using Jameson Black Barrel, then your drink is not complete with some additional dashes of orange bitters to really make those tasting notes pop.
Cold Brew Old Fashioned: Using both aromatic and chocolate bitters with Jameson Cold Brew, bringing some herbal sweetness to a drink with a coffee kick.
Chocolate Old Fashioned: Again, using both aromatic and chocolate bitters, layered with the unmistakable smoothness of Jameson Black Barrel.
Maple Old Fashioned: With maple syrup for sweetness and chocolate bitters for balance, we’re getting into desert for breakfast territory.
Pumpkin Old Fashioned: A seasonal pumpkin syrup using old faithful aromatic bitters, this is a drink made for autumn leaves.
Cheung Fun Old Fashioned: Orange bitters which bring an extra zest of life to this far east inspired cocktail.
Each recipe showcases how whiskey cocktail enhancements can evolve with a few clever dashes… of course using the world’s most popular triple distilled Irish whiskey helps too.
Final Sip: Create the Perfect Old Fashioned with Jameson
An Old Fashioned is simple, but like all great art, the devil is in the detail.
Experiment with the best bitters for an Old Fashioned, play with bitters pairing, and keep your cocktail flavour balance front and centre. Start with a bottle of Jameson original, Jameson Black Barrel, or another from the Jameson family see which bitters work best for your favourite bottle.
More on Old Fashioned Bitters:
Best Bitters for Old Fashioned
Angostura aromatic bitters are the original bartending staples, but don’t overlook orange, chocolate, or walnut craft bitters for creative flavour complexity and cocktail innovation.
How much bitters are in an Old Fashioned?
Usually 2–4 dashes, depending on taste.
What type of bitters for Old Fashioned?
Aromatic bitters are the standard, but bitters pairing with citrus or spice can elevate your whiskey cocktail improvements.
What are bitters in an Old Fashioned?
They’re concentrated botanical extracts. A mixture of herbs and spices that have been processed, to have their flavour extracted and concentrated, not dissimilar to an ingredient like vanilla extract. For Angostura aromatic bitters (which are the most used bitter in an Old Fashioned) the exact recipe of herbs and spices are a closely guarded secret.
Can you make an Old Fashioned without bitters?
Technically, yes. But without bitters, your balance and flavour complexity fall flat. It’s like trying to convince your date that Free Jazz music is coming back to the mainstream; possible but not recommended.