Top Bitter Brands Making Waves in Mixology

Bitters, with their rich history and complex flavors, have become a staple in the world of beverages, especially in crafting exceptional cocktails. From classic cocktails to modern mixology, a quality bottle of bitters can elevate your drink experience. Many brands have mastered the art of brewing these concentrated elixirs, offering a variety of flavors that cater to different tastes and preferences. To help you in your bitters selection, we’ve curated a list of the best brands renowned for their impeccable quality and diverse flavor offerings, which you can explore further below.

Illustration of bitters

Best brands of bitters in 2025

Angostura

Angostura is a renowned brand and one of the best producers of bitters, with a history dating back to 1824 when Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert developed the recipe. The bitters, known for their unique flavor profile, are made with gentian, herbs, and spices, and contain 44.7% alcohol by volume. Angostura bitters are a crucial ingredient in many popular cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned and Manhattan. The brand is celebrated for its distinctive oversized label, which was initially a mistake but has become a signature feature. Angostura has recently marked its 200th anniversary and continues to expand its market presence, including a new distribution agreement in China. For more details, explore the Angostura Bitters page on Wikipedia.

Peychaud's

Peychaud's Bitters, distributed by the American Sazerac Company, is a renowned and essential ingredient in the world of mixology, particularly famous for its role in the Sazerac cocktail. Created by Antoine Amedee Peychaud between 1849 and 1857, these bitters are characterized by their anise and mint flavors, with a gentian base. Produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, Peychaud's Bitters contain an ABV of about 35% and are known for their delicate and lighter profile compared to other bitters. They are a staple in many classic and modern cocktails, including the Vieux Carre and the Pendennis Club. With a rich history dating back to the early 19th century, Peychaud's Bitters continue to influence American cocktail culture. For more information, visit their official website.

Bittermens

Bittermens is a renowned brand in the bitters market, known for its innovative and high-quality products. Since its inception, Bittermens has been a key player in the bitters renaissance, which began to gain momentum around 2005 with the reintroduction of traditional cocktail bitters by veterans like Gary Regan. The brand offers a diverse range of flavors, contributing to the growing demand for unique and premium bitters. With the global bitters market expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.37% from 2023 to 2030, Bittermens is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. Their products are highly regarded by bartenders and mixologists for their rich flavor profiles and versatility in cocktail recipes.

Scrappy's Bitters

Scrappy's Bitters, founded by Seattle bartender Miles Thomas in 2008, is renowned for its handcrafted, high-quality bitters made from organic ingredients and devoid of artificial flavors, chemicals, or dyes. The brand stands out for its meticulous process, where every batch is numbered and inspected by hand, ensuring a bolder and truer flavor. Scrappy's offers a diverse range of flavors, including aromatic, celery, lime, chocolate, and grapefruit, each carefully developed to enhance various cocktails. Their commitment to excellence has earned them a place among the top bitters brands, favored by professional and amateur mixologists alike. With a focus on using the finest herbs and freshly zested citrus, Scrappy's Bitters continues to set a high standard in the industry. Discover more about Scrappy's Bitters on their official partner page.

Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6

Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6, created by renowned mixologist Gary "Gaz" Regan in partnership with The Sazerac Company, is a benchmark in the bitters industry, known for its distinctive spicy profile with notes of cardamom and coriander. Introduced in 2005, this bitters has helped ignite the current bitters boom and is highly regarded for its balanced flavor with slight floral and citrus notes. Regan's Orange Bitters No. 6 is the result of extensive trial and error, with five previous batches leading to the final product. It is often used in classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned, dry martini, and revolver. This bitters is celebrated for its zesty, fresh, and bright flavor profile. Discover more about Regans' Orange Bitters No. 6.

The Bitter Truth

The Bitter Truth is a highly regarded brand in the cocktail bitters category, ranking third in the Brands Report 2021 and 2023, with its products found on the back bar in 20% of the world's best bars. Despite Peychaud's historical dominance, more bars declared The Bitter Truth their number one choice over Peychaud's. The brand offers a range of products, making it a versatile option for bartenders. It has maintained its position since the data collection began in 2018, indicating its consistent quality and appeal. The Bitter Truth's presence in the market highlights its significance alongside other major brands like Angostura and Peychaud's. For more insights, check out this detailed analysis of The Bitter Truth.

Fee Brothers

Fee Brothers is a renowned producer of high-quality bitters, boasting 160 years of expertise and a legacy of flavor that has been refined over five generations. Their bitters are crafted with vegetable glycerin, making them unique and alcohol-spirit-free, a tradition that dates back to their survival during Prohibition. Most of their products are certified gluten-free and Kosher, with the exception of a few specific items. Fee Brothers offers a wide variety of bitters, including Aztec Chocolate, Celery, and Turkish Tobacco, among others, ensuring a depth and complexity in every cocktail. Their products have gained national recognition, with annual sales topping the million-dollar mark.

Hella Bitters

Hella Cocktail Co., formerly known as Hella Bitters, is a prominent brand in the bitters market, renowned for its high-quality, premium ingredients and innovative products. Founded in Brooklyn in 2011, the company has expanded its product line to include a full range of bitters, mixers, and canned bitters and soda, with over 10,000 points of distribution in the US as of 2024. Their Bitters & Soda line, launched with Dry Aromatic and Spritz Aromatic flavors, later expanded to include Ginger Turmeric, Grapefruit, and Lemon Lime flavors in October 2020. These products contain a trace amount of alcohol (<0.5% ABV) from the bitters but are marketed as non-alcoholic, catering to those mindful of their alcohol consumption. Hella Cocktail Co. is a significant player in the growing bitters market, which is expected to reach USD 900.95 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.37%. For a detailed review, check out their Hella Bitters & Soda review.

Bob's Bitters

Bob's Bitters, established in 2005 by ex-pastry chef Bob Petrie, is renowned for its single-ingredient, small-batch, artisan cocktail bitters. This brand is highly regarded in the high-end cocktail bar industry and is a fixture in 15% of the bars polled in the 2022 Brands Report. Bob's Bitters offers a diverse range of flavors, including Abbotts, Cardamon, Chocolate, and more, each providing an intense, individual taste to cocktails. The brand's culinary approach to bitters creation sets it apart, making it a favorite among mixologists. Bob's Bitters are now available for use at home, further expanding their reach.

Bittercube

Bittercube, founded in 2009 by Nicholas Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz, is a renowned producer of artisanal bitters, known for its densely flavored and slow-crafted products made from real botanicals. The company has grown significantly, from producing one-gallon jars in 2009 to 210-gallon batches today, and distributes its bitters in nearly 30 states and internationally in Canada, Italy, and Australia. Bittercube's commitment to thoughtful sourcing and meticulous production has earned it features in prominent publications such as the New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Imbibe Magazine. The bitters market, which includes Bittercube, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2031, driven by the increasing demand for premium and craft spirits. Bittercube's innovative flavors, such as Cherry Bark Vanilla and Jamaican No.1, are highly praised for their versatility and quality.