bitters

Riff Diaries: Bitters

With a flick of the wrist, a dash or two of bitters can transform a drink. Here are four cocktails that simply can't live without them.

• story: Punch Staff
• photo: Daniel Krieger

Angostura Sour

A riff on a Charles H. Baker cocktail, the Angostura Sour is unorthodox in its use of Angostura bitters as a base spirit creating a aromatically astringent and curiously pleasant…

Seelbach

The Seelbach Hotel's grand, saloon-style counter reportedly created this signature cocktail when a bartender used a Manhattan to catch the overflow from an uncorked Champagne bottle.

In Fashion

A float of smoky mezcal adds a contemporary twist to this Old-Fashioned.

Corn ‘n’ Oil

The “oil” in this Bajan drink is a reference to its aged rum base.

Shady Lane

As far as this warm-weather cooler is concerned, the Pavement classic's refrain says it all: “A Shady Lane, everybody wants one.”

Sawyer

Don Lee's heavily-bittered gin sour.

Cricket Ball

Brad Thomas Parsons came across this understated aperitif at the Red Cat in Manhattan. So named because the drink’s hue matches the color of a traditional cricket ball.

Autumn Sweater

The bittersweet lyrics of “Autumn Sweater,” from Yo La Tengo’s 1997 album, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One, serve as the source material for this melancholy change-of-season shoegazer.

The Charleston

Madeira meets bourbon in this equal parts Manhattan variation.