Bittermilk No. 1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned
Bittermilk No. 1 takes nearly everything you need for a proper Old Fashioned and puts it into one beautifully concentrated bottle. Burnt cane sugar brings deep caramelized richness, while fresh orange peel, spices, gentian root and cinchona bark create the bitterness and complexity that usually require a bit more tinkering behind the bar. Then the whole thing is aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Willett Distillery, picking up additional depth and warmth along the way. Rich, bittersweet and wonderfully useful, this is cocktail shortcutting without cutting corners.
Why We Love It
An Old Fashioned is simple, which also means there's nowhere for mediocre ingredients to hide. Bittermilk gets the balance right before you even open the bottle. It has sweetness, bitterness, citrus and spice already working together, plus the extra character from bourbon-barrel aging. We especially like it for non-alcoholic cocktails because it can bring some of the darker, more developed flavors that are sometimes missing when whiskey leaves the equation.
How to Drink Bittermilk No. 1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned
Pair it with your favorite non-alcoholic whiskey or other dark spirit alternative and serve it over a large cube with an orange peel. Bittermilk's traditional ratio is one part No. 1 to four parts spirit, so start there and adjust to your taste. You can also use a small pour with sparkling water for something lighter and bittersweet, or add a splash to other zero-proof cocktails when they need more depth, spice and structure.
Cheeky & Dry Signature Serve: Stir ½ oz Bittermilk No. 1, 2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey and 2 dashes aromatic bitters with plenty of ice until thoroughly chilled. Strain over one large cube in a rocks glass and express a wide orange peel over the top before dropping it in. Rich, bitter, citrusy and properly contemplative, without requiring you to muddle a single thing.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Orange peel, warm baking spice, caramelized sugar and subtle oak
- Palate: Rich burnt sugar balanced by bitter botanicals, citrus peel and warming spice
- Finish: Long and bittersweet with lingering orange, spice and gentle barrel character
- Body: Concentrated and full, designed to add weight and structure once mixed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bittermilk No. 1 non-alcoholic?
Bittermilk No. 1 is a concentrated cocktail mixer rather than a spirit. Because it is aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels, customers avoiding alcohol completely should be aware of the barrel-aging process and make their own choice based on their needs.
What does Bittermilk No. 1 taste like?
It's rich and bittersweet, with burnt cane sugar, fresh orange peel, warming spices and botanical bitterness from gentian root and cinchona bark. Bourbon-barrel aging adds another layer of depth.
How do you make a non-alcoholic Old Fashioned with Bittermilk No. 1?
Combine one part Bittermilk No. 1 with four parts of your favorite non-alcoholic whiskey alternative, stir with ice and serve over fresh ice with an orange peel.
Do I need to add bitters or simple syrup?
No. Bittermilk No. 1 already incorporates sweetness, bitterness, citrus and spice, so it can essentially replace the sugar and bitters traditionally used in an Old Fashioned. You can always add additional bitters if you want to customize the drink.
What else can I make with Bittermilk No. 1?
Try a small amount with sparkling water for a bittersweet soda, pair it with other dark non-alcoholic spirits, or use a splash to add burnt sugar, citrus and bitter botanical notes to more complex cocktails.
Product Details
- Brand: Bittermilk
- Product: No. 1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned
- Type: Concentrated Cocktail Mixer
- Size: 8.5 fl oz / 251 mL
- Yield: Approximately 17 cocktails
- Made in: South Carolina, USA
- Ingredients: Florida Golden Cane Sugar, Burnt Florida Golden Cane Sugar, Water, Fresh Orange Peel, Spices, Gentian Root, Cinchona Bark, Tartaric Acid
- Barrel Aging: Aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Willett Distillery
