Absurd Intellectual

Move over, Angostura, there’s a new bitters in town. Actually, Angostura bitters have always been subject to competition — there’s no secret to making bitters, except they’re all secret recipes.

Unfortunately, in the decades as I was growing up, it seemed like everyone decided that bitters would no longer be a necessary ingredient if you were going to make yourself a cocktail — when they are, in fact, the most essential ingredient.

Now, though, it seems there’s a bitters revolution. I read more and more about them in magazines and on websites. I still can’t find them for purchase anywhere in my hometown, of course, but the Internet will help — I can buy ‘em online for $8 a pop. There are different brands, too.

But then I stumbled across Bittercube.

You’ve heard of micro-breweries? You’ve heard of boutique wines? You’ve heard of craft distilleries making small-batch vodka, whisky and other spirits?

Make room for artisanal bitters. Ira and Nick, of Bittercube, have been pushing the envelope of bartending since they got started in the biz. And that included making their own bitters. Now, they’re offering these bitters for sale.

They’ve got blackstrap bitters, orange bitters — even cherry bark vanilla bitters. You can buy all six of their flavours in a variety pack for $48. Or you can buy single bottles through Cocktail Kingdom.

But what really intrigues me is this offer:

Bittercube takes Bitters commissions …. If you have a specific flavor profile you would like to see implemented in a one-of-a-kind bitters … Bittercube can work alongside you to create a custom set of Bitters.

Whoa.

Sure, it’s aimed at restaurants and bars — but I’m sure they say that just because you would have to buy a lot of it. There’s no reason a group of friends, or family, couldn’t decided they wanted a custom bitters, and I’m sure they’d listen.

In the meantime, while I try to whip up enthusiasm amongst my cocktail-drinking friends and family, there’s that $48 variety pack.

Now, for me, I think $48 is a little steep to spend on bitters. But, luckily, I don’t think that $48 is too steep for you to spend on me! Hey — it includes shipping!