Famous mixologists make elaborate elixirs look effortless. With a shot of this and a splash of that, a cocktail comes to life and the flavor is impressive. For those who dabble in the art of mixology, creating that flavor balance can be more complicated. Understanding how to make personalized bitters can be the secret to shake up a more flavorful cocktail experience.
Bitters are basically flavor enhancers. Many people have a bottle of Angostura bitters in their cocktail ingredients. Usually used sparingly, the bold flavors are designed to add nuance with just a few drops.
While many people simply purchase a bottle from the store, making your own bitters is a game changer. The process is not too difficult, and it allows a better appreciation for flavor combinations.
Basically, bitters are made by infusing alcohol with herbs, spices, and other botanicals. During a visit to Bhakta Spirits Griswold Campus, the team led a class on how to create personalized bitters. With some standard recipes for reference, it was time to blend art and science to develop a new flavor.
The lively discussion was more than just focusing on an end goal of the final flavor. The idea was to better appreciate the difference between complimentary and contrasting flavors. Sure, chocolate and spice can play well with each other but infusing them with a nutty note can add more depth.
Basically, creating personalized bitters is a way to better understand flavor profile preferences. Does that herbal aroma note bring instant excitement? Maybe an underlying sweetness coats the back of the palate. Or, a bold spice lingers and invites another sip.
Whichever the scenario, bitters can be crafted to enhance that desired outcome. In this case, the Bhakta Spirits served as the foundation. The process was more like cooking where a dash here and sprinkle there would have the desired outcome.
While there was tasting along the way, the true result is not known for a while. After letting the recipe marry all the flavors for a month or so, the resulting elixir is ready to be the drop to elevate that signature cocktail.
Looking back at this process, it is part mad scientist and part artist. Can creating personalized bitters go horribly wrong, possibly. But, just like cooking, learning from those mistakes are vital to growing. Maybe that white peppercorn was too heavy handed or the cinnamon needed to be more apparent. Lessons learned make for a more balanced second act.
Additionally, crafting bitters leads to a better appreciation for a specialty spirit, like Bhakta Spirits. Since the brand relies on blending barrels to create a special release, the team understands that the art of flavor creation excels when care and craft are put into every bottle. Appreciating what people want and how they respond to the golden liquor in the bottle is a vital part of the conversation. The team has found a way to offer a wide array of releases that appeal to any and every occasion.
The next time a desire to amplify the cocktail game comes up in conversation, start with the bitters. One little drop will make a difference in every sip.