Angostura Cocoa Bitters

 Behind a bar, one of the most recognizable and widely used bottles will be Angostura Aromatic Bitters. The small bottle, with the oversized label and that yellow cap are iconic imagery in the world of bartending and mixology. While there's plenty of drinks that call for peychaud's or maybe an orange bitters, no bottle of bitters is called for as much as Angostura Aromatic Bitters. However, people are quick to forget that while Angostura's main product is their standard Aromatic Bitters, they also make an orange bitters, and the subject of today's review, Cocoa Bitters (and also an amari, a few rums, brandy, a vodka, and some soft drinks. But those are for another time).

The nose is extremely rich and complex. There's some deep chocolate notes, but also a bit of cinnamon, clove, maybe some anise? perhaps even cardamom? The smell evokes a glass of hot chocolate, while something is baking in the kitchen, but it's concentrated and heavy. When the small sip I took initially hit my tongue, at first it confusingly quiet, as if I had taken a sip of water, but then a rich and dark chocolate flavor sweeps in, accompanied by loads of nutmeg, maybe a tiny bit of something unpleasantly chemical? but it's just a note, not a dominant flavor. I get reminded of holidays with my family as a child. It's really a beautiful sip that my words could only dream do justice towards. 9.9/10 Absolutely divine.


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