Celery bitters have made a comeback in the cocktail world after being absent for over a century. These bitters are a must-have for any bartender who wants to add a unique and complex flavor to thir cocktails. They are perfect for traditional cocktails like the Bloody Mary, Red Snapper, Bullshot, Prairie Oyster, Dry Martini, and Gin and Tonic. But their uses don't stop there; they are also ideal for grassy spirits like tequila or rum.
One classic cocktail that is perfect for celery bitters is the Old Fashioned. The addition of celery bitters gives the drink a spicy and herbal undertone that complements the sweetness of the sugar and the complexity of the whiskey. To make an Old Fashioned with celery bitters, muddle a sugar cube with a few dashes of celery bitters in a glass. Add ice and whiskey and stir until well combined. Garnish with an orange twist and a celery stalk.
Another classic cocktail that benefits from celery bitters is the Sazerac. This New Orleans staple is made with rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar, and Peychaud's bitters. The addition of celery bitters adds a savory and spicy note to the drink that balances out the sweetness of the sugar and the bitterness of the absinthe. To make a Sazerac with celery bitters, rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and set aside. In another glass, muddle a sugar cube with a few dashes of celery bitters. Add ice and rye whiskey and stir until well combined. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
The Japanese Cocktail is another classic that benefits from the addition of celery bitters. This drink is made with brandy, orgeat syrup, and Boker's bitters. The addition of celery bitters gives the drink a spicy and herbal note that complements the nuttiness of the orgeat syrup. To make a Japanese Cocktail with celery bitters, shake brandy, orgeat syrup, and a few dashes of celery bitters with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
The Negroni is a popular cocktail that can be made with a variety of bitters, but the addition of orange and amaro bitters gives the drink a unique and complex flavor profile. The addition of celery bitters adds a spicy and herbal note that balances out the bitterness of the Campari and the sweetness of the vermouth. To make a Negroni with celery bitters, stir gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, orange bitters, and celery bitters with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Celery bitters are also ideal for digestive cocktails like the Bitter Sour. This drink is made with gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and digestive bitters. The addition of celery bitters adds a spicy and herbal note that complements the sweetness of the honey and the acidity of the lemon juice. To make a Bitter Sour with celery bitters, shake gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and a few dashes of celery bitters with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Spicy bitters like celery bitters are perfect for cocktails like the Dark ‘n' Stormy. This drink is made with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime juice. The addition of celery bitters adds a spicy and herbal note that complements the spiciness of the ginger beer and the acidity of the lime juice. To make a Dark ‘n' Stormy with celery bitters, pour dark rum over ice in a glass. Add ginger beer, lime juice, and a few dashes of celery bitters. Stir until well combined and garnish with a lime wedge.
Multiple digestive bitters like celery bitters are ideal for cocktails like the Reno. This drink is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and multiple digestive bitters. The addition of celery bitters adds a spicy and herbal note that complements the bitterness of the digestive bitters and the acidity of the lemon juice. To make a Reno with celery bitters, shake gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a few dashes of celery bitters with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Multiple bitters like celery bitters are perfect for complex cocktails like the Blushing Monk. This drink is made with gin, grapefruit juice, St. Germain, and multiple bitters. The addition of celery bitters adds a spicy and herbal note that complements the sweetness of the St. Germain and the tartness of the grapefruit juice. To make a Blushing Monk with celery bitters, shake gin, grapefruit juice, St. Germain, and a few dashes of celery bitters with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Celery bitters are a versatile and complex ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails. They add a spicy and herbal note that complements the sweetness, bitterness, and acidity of many classic cocktails. They are a must-have for any bartender who wants to take their cocktails to the next level.
Cocktails Featuring Celery Bitters
Celery bitters are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails, and they add a unique flavor profile to drinks. Some cocktails that use celery bitters include:
1. The Bloody Mary: This classic brunch cocktail is made with vodka, tomato juice, and a variety of spices, including celery salt. Celery bitters add an extra layer of complexity to the drink and can help balance out the acidity of the tomato juice.
2. The Red Snapper: A variation on the Bloody Mary, the Red Snapper is made with gin instead of vodka. Celery bitters work particularly well with gin, which has a botanical flavor profile.
3. The Bullshot: Another savory cocktail, the Bullshot is made with beef broth, vodka, and spices. Celery bitters add a vegetal note that complements the beef broth.
4. The Prairie Oyster: This non-alcoholic cocktail is made with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a whole raw egg. Celery bitters add a slightly bitter note that helps balance out the richness of the egg yolk.
5. The Dry Martini Cocktail: A classic cocktail made with gin and dry vermouth, the Dry Martini can be enhanced with a dash of celery bitters. The bitters add an herbal note that complements the botanical flavors of the gin.
6. The Gin & Tonic: This refreshing cocktail is made with gin and tonic water, and can be enhanced with a dash of celery bitters. The bitters add a vegetal note that complements the bitterness of the tonic water.
Is Celery Bitters Alcoholic?
Celery bitters do contain a small amount of alcohol. The alcohol content of celery bitters is 1.29% alcohol by volume. This means that for every 100 milliliters of celery bitters, 1.29 milliliters of it is alcohol. While this may not seem like a lot, it is important to keep in mind if you are avoiding alcohol for any reason. It is also worth noting that celery bitters are back on the market for the first time since the 19th century, and are a unique and flavorful addition to any cocktail.
Conclusion
Celery bitters are a fantastic addition to any cocktail lover's collection. They add a unique, herbaceous flavor to drinks that is both refreshing and complex. From classic cocktails like the Bloody Mary and Gin & Tonic to more modern creations like the Blushing Monk, celery bitters can elevate any drink to the next level. Their versatility makes them a must-have for any home bartender looking to expand their repertoire. So, whether you're a seasoned mixologist or just getting started on your cocktail journey, don't hesitate to give celery bitters a try – your taste buds will thank you!
