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House-Made Orange Bitters | Sugar House Detroit

House-Made Orange Bitters

$19.95
5 oz bottle — ships nationally
In Stock

Our most versatile bitters. Made from dried orange peel, gentian root, coriander, and cardamom — infused in high-proof spirit and aged for three weeks before bottling. The same recipe we have used behind the bar since 2011. Orange bitters are the foundation of cocktail bitters. Before Angostura dominated the market, orange bitters were the standard in every bartender's toolkit. We brought them back to the way they should taste — complex, aromatic, and balanced enough to work in any drink.

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About This Product

Our most versatile bitters. Made from dried orange peel, gentian root, coriander, and cardamom — infused in high-proof spirit and aged for three weeks before bottling. The same recipe we have used behind the bar since 2011. Orange bitters are the foundation of cocktail bitters. Before Angostura dominated the market, orange bitters were the standard in every bartender's toolkit. We brought them back to the way they should taste — complex, aromatic, and balanced enough to work in any drink.

Ingredients
  • Dried orange peel
  • Gentian root
  • Coriander
  • Cardamom
  • Grain alcohol
  • Water

All botanicals sourced whole. No extracts, no artificial flavors.

How to Use
  • 2–3 dashes per cocktail
  • Works in stirred, shaken, and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight
  • No refrigeration needed
  • An opened bottle stays potent for years

What to Make with House-Made Orange Bitters

Old Fashioned

Bourbon, sugar, orange bitters, orange peel

The classic pairing. Orange bitters bridge the bourbon and sweetness, adding aromatic complexity that a plain sugar cube and whiskey cannot reach on their own.

"This is the cocktail that made us fall in love with orange bitters."

Classic Martini

Gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, orange bitters

A few dashes of orange bitters transform a Martini from sharp to layered. The citrus notes complement gin's botanicals and round the dry vermouth into something warmer.

Manhattan

Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, orange bitters

Rounds out the sweet vermouth and adds a citrus lift that balances the richness. The difference between a good Manhattan and a great one often comes down to the bitters.

Champagne Cocktail

Champagne, sugar cube, orange bitters

The original bitters cocktail. Just three ingredients, and the bitters are the star. The sugar cube slowly dissolves and carries the bitters through every sip.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Aromatic citrus with a bitter backbone. You will taste dried orange peel, warm spice from coriander and cardamom, and a long, dry finish from the gentian root. Not sweet — concentrated and complex.

Different flavor profile entirely. Angostura is heavy on clove and cinnamon. Our orange bitters lead with citrus and botanicals. They serve different purposes — most serious bars keep both behind the counter.

Yes. Orange bitters work in tonic water, soda water, coffee, and tea. A few dashes in a glass of sparkling water with an orange peel is a zero-proof drink worth making.

At 2–3 dashes per cocktail, a 5 oz bottle makes roughly 80–100 cocktails. For most home bartenders, that is 4–6 months of regular use.

The Vault

Off-menu cocktails. Stories from 15 years behind the bar.

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